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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query torment. Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers August 12, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Mentions by username, on social media 4
2A 5. High range 6
3A 11. Hits up on Insta, say 3
4A 14. ___ vez (again, in Spanish) 4
5A 15. Torment 6
6A 16. On the sea, it's akin to "Sí" 3
7A 17. Where Docs and Sheets are stored 11
8A 19. Jordan joined it in 1984, for short 3
9A 20. Pal 5
10A 21. Only number that appears twice in the Fibonacci sequence 3
11A 22. Rip-off 4
12A 23. Measurements of Wi-Fi performance 13
13A 27. Didn't have a match in Go Fish, say 4
14A 28. Feeling little to no amorous attraction, in L.G.B.T.Q.+ lingo 3
15A 29. Identity prefix 3
16A 32. Baldwin with a record 17 appearances as "Saturday Night Live" host 4
17A 35. Unwanted divisions 5
18A 38. Web volume measured in hits ... or a hint to 17-, 23-, 49- and 61-Across 15
19A 42. 2024 film that won Best Picture 5
20A 43. Boba tea flavor 4
21A 44. Word with run or resort 3
22A 45. Throw, for instance 3
23A 46. Buddhist leader 4
24A 49. Major consequence of a virus, perhaps 13
25A 55. Extreme craving 4
26A 56. "OK," in Osaka 3
27A 57. "Like ___!" ("Whatever!") 5
28A 60. "Sorry, it's ___ from me" 3
29A 61. Cause of some slow data transfers 11
30A 64. Highly monitored area, for short 3
31A 65. Flowery 6
32A 66. Affinity for something, so to speak 4
33A 67. Home of Emanuel Leutze's "Washington Crossing the Delaware," with "the" 3
34A 68. Snipes of "White Men Can't Jump" 6
35A 69. Baking amts. 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Mentions by username, on social media"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a label written or printed on paper, cardboard, or plastic that is attached to something to indicate its owner, nature, price, etc.
  • Similar words include: tail, go after, ticket
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAGS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. High range"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the pitch range of the highest female voice
  • Similar words include: threefold, three-fold, double
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TREBLE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "11. Hits up on Insta, say"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that diabetes caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin and characterized by polyuria
  • Similar words include: DM, dm, decimeter
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. ___ vez (again, in Spanish)"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Torment"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil
  • Similar words include: disk
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARROW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. On the sea, it's akin to "Sí""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Where Docs and Sheets are stored"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GOOGLEDRIVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Jordan joined it in 1984, for short"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NBA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Pal"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a friend or comrade
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMIGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Only number that appears twice in the Fibonacci sequence"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
  • Similar words include: 1, peerless, nonpareil
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "22. Rip-off"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fraudulent business scheme
  • Similar words include: defraud, gyp, con
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "23. Measurements of Wi-Fi performance"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NETWORKSPEEDS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Didn't have a match in Go Fish, say"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states actor (born in ireland); father of georgiana emma barrymore (1827-1862)
  • Similar words include: thread, trace, pass
  • Opposite of: repel, deposit
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DREW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Feeling little to no amorous attraction, in L.G.B.T.Q.+ lingo"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "29. Identity prefix"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an alliance made up of states that had been soviet socialist republics in the soviet union prior to its dissolution in dec 1991
  • Similar words include: Commonwealth of Independent States, Ci, curie
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "32. Baldwin with a record 17 appearances as "Saturday Night Live" host"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALEC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. Unwanted divisions"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a gap between cloud masses
  • Similar words include: breach, rift, falling out
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIFTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "38. Web volume measured in hits ... or a hint to 17-, 23-, 49- and 61-Across"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTERNETTRAFFIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "42. 2024 film that won Best Picture"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Boba tea flavor"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants
  • Similar words include: dasheen, taro root, edda
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TARO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Word with run or resort"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that narrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SKI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Throw, for instance"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
  • Similar words include: carpet, carpeting
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RUG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. Buddhist leader"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a tibetan or mongolian priest of lamaism
  • Similar words include: genus Lama
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LAMA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. Major consequence of a virus, perhaps"

13 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: COMPUTERCRASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "55. Extreme craving"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong sexual desire
  • Similar words include: hunger, lecherousness, crave
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "56. "OK," in Osaka"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HAI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. "Like ___!" ("Whatever!")"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "60. "Sorry, it's ___ from me""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a palestinian international terrorist organization that split from the plo in 1974; has conducted terrorist attacks in 20 countries
  • Similar words include: Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims, Abu Nidal Organization, Black September
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ANO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "61. Cause of some slow data transfers"

11 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERVERDELAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "64. Highly monitored area, for short"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care
  • Similar words include: intensive care unit
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "65. Flowery"

6 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details; ; -john milton
  • Similar words include: flowery
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ORNATE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. Affinity for something, so to speak"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
  • Similar words include: wind, poke, olfactory organ
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Home of Emanuel Leutze's "Washington Crossing the Delaware," with "the""

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that come together
  • Similar words include: fill, receive, run across
  • Opposite of: diverge
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Snipes of "White Men Can't Jump""

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english clergyman and brother of john wesley who wrote many hymns (1707-1788)
  • Similar words include: John Wesley, Charles Wesley
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WESLEY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Baking amts."

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Party wrap 4
2D 2. Bit of chemistry 4
3D 3. Bad thing to pull while running 5
4D 4. Failed under pressure, in a way 6
5D 5. Hot French beverage 3
6D 6. "Sick, dude!" 3
7D 7. What a bug may cause 5
8D 8. Cusp 5
9D 9. Is gaga for 5
10D 10. Farm female 3
11D 11. "Battles" of those busting moves 9
12D 12. "I messed up" 5
13D 13. Lines in mines 5
14D 18. Tolkien fantasy series inits. 4
15D 22. Little flourish on a letter 5
16D 24. Break off gradually 4
17D 25. Barn nestling 5
18D 26. Lawyer's aide, informally 4
19D 29. Org. in the Jack Ryan movies 3
20D 30. Tabard ___, locale in "The Canterbury Tales" 3
21D 31. Leaves in a huff 9
22D 33. Greek letter representing elasticity in economics 3
23D 34. PC "copy" shortcut 5
24D 36. ___Tok 3
25D 37. STEM part: Abbr. 3
26D 39. Go ballistic 5
27D 40. Big name in pasta sauce 4
28D 41. Pride sound 4
29D 47. ___ Marian (English folklore heroine) 4
30D 48. It's on the up and up 6
31D 49. Fraud victim's filing 5
32D 50. Perfumery unit 5
33D 51. "And ... voilà!" 5
34D 52. Comes to deserve 5
35D 53. Measure up to, as in competition 5
36D 54. Nickname for M.L.B.'s Angels 5
37D 58. Feature of one's voice following a loud concert, say 4
38D 59. Potato discards 4
39D 61. Farm female 3
40D 62. It ends in septembre 3
41D 63. Singer Lana Del ___ 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Party wrap"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient rome
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOGA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Bit of chemistry"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
  • Similar words include: speck, molecule, corpuscle
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ATOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Bad thing to pull while running"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the crease at the junction of the inner part of the thigh with the trunk together with the adjacent region and often including the external genitals
  • Similar words include: breakwater, seawall, bulwark
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GROIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Failed under pressure, in a way"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
  • Similar words include: droop, flag, sag down
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SAGGED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Hot French beverage"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. "Sick, dude!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material
  • Similar words include: radian
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. What a bug may cause"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
  • Similar words include: fault, misplay, erroneous belief
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Cusp"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a region marking a boundary
  • Similar words include: verge, threshold
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRINK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Is gaga for"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
  • Similar words include: roll in the hay, hump, fuck
  • Opposite of: hate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOVES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Farm female"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a member of a people living in southern benin and togo and southeastern ghana
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. "Battles" of those busting moves"

9 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DANCEOFFS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "I messed up""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MYBAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Lines in mines"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
  • Similar words include: wrinkle, bed, seam
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Tolkien fantasy series inits."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOTR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. Little flourish on a letter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a short line at the end of the main strokes of a character
  • Similar words include: seriph
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SERIF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Break off gradually"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that gradually deprive (infants and young mammals) of mother's milk
  • Similar words include: ablactate
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WEAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "25. Barn nestling"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OWLET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "26. Lawyer's aide, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (obstetrics) the number of liveborn children a woman has delivered
  • Similar words include: Feliz Lusitania, paratrooper, Belem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PARA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Org. in the Jack Ryan movies"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent agency of the united states government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest; headed by the director of central intelligence under the supervision of the president and national security council
  • Similar words include: Central Intelligence Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "30. Tabard ___, locale in "The Canterbury Tales""

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
  • Similar words include: hostel, lodge, auberge
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "31. Leaves in a huff"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: STORMSOUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Greek letter representing elasticity in economics"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
  • Similar words include: Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. PC "copy" shortcut"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CTRLC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. ___Tok"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "37. STEM part: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Go ballistic"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that start abruptly
  • Similar words include: flare up, break, break through
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ERUPT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "40. Big name in pasta sauce"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAGU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "41. Pride sound"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a deep prolonged loud noise
  • Similar words include: holler, bellow, hollo
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. ___ Marian (English folklore heroine)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a female domestic
  • Similar words include: maiden, maidservant, housemaid
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. It's on the up and up"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
  • Similar words include: upgrade, climb, rising
  • Opposite of: fall, descent
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASCENT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "49. Fraud victim's filing"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
  • Similar words include: take, call, arrogate
  • Opposite of: forfeit, disclaim
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLAIM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "50. Perfumery unit"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a unit of apothecary weight equal to 480 grains or one twelfth of a pound
  • Similar words include: oz., snow leopard, troy ounce
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUNCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "51. "And ... voilà!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a location other than here; that place
  • Similar words include: at that place, in that respect, in that location
  • Opposite of: here
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THERE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "52. Comes to deserve"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
  • Similar words include: realise, bring in, garner
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EARNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "53. Measure up to, as in competition"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the contestant you hope to defeat
  • Similar words include: equal, competition, challenger
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIVAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "54. Nickname for M.L.B.'s Angels"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
  • Similar words include: aura, glory, aureole
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HALOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Feature of one's voice following a loud concert, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that uttering in an irritated tone
  • Similar words include: rasping, wood file
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RASP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "59. Potato discards"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that opinion or judgment
  • Similar words include: heart, optic, oculus
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "61. Farm female"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an adult female hog
  • Similar words include: seed, inseminate, sow in
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "62. It ends in septembre"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ETE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "63. Singer Lana Del ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
41 Down Clues
76 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

Disclaimer: Crossword clues and grid © The New York Times. This site provides hints and educational content for puzzle enthusiasts. XWordHint is not affiliated with The New York Times.

Last updated: August 12, 2026 at 05:10 AM

Trivia Week 2 August 12, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Hints

Quick NYT Mini Crossword August 12, 2026 (Trivia Week 2) - Solutions

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: Todays NYT Crossword Across Clues_21 | October 16 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | October 23 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for August 12, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date August 12, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1          
Row 2          
Row 3          
Row 4          
Row 5          

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 69. Baking amts.
2 Across 44. Word with run or resort
3 Across 56. "OK," in Osaka
4 Across 16. On the sea, it's akin to "Sí"
5 Across 43. Boba tea flavor
6 Across 27. Didn't have a match in Go Fish, say
7 Across 28. Feeling little to no amorous attraction, in L.G.B.T.Q.+ lingo
8 Across 15. Torment
9 Across 55. Extreme craving
10 Across 42. 2024 film that won Best Picture

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

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


1 Across: "69. Baking amts."

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T__S

Answer:

Click to reveal TSPS


2 Across: "44. Word with run or resort"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'I'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal SKI


3 Across: "56. "OK," in Osaka"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'I'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal HAI


4 Across: "16. On the sea, it's akin to "Sí""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal AYE


5 Across: "43. Boba tea flavor"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: T__O

Answer:

Click to reveal TARO


6 Across: "27. Didn't have a match in Go Fish, say"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: D__W

Answer:

Click to reveal DREW


7 Across: "28. Feeling little to no amorous attraction, in L.G.B.T.Q.+ lingo"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'O'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal ARO


8 Across: "15. Torment"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'W'
  • Word pattern: H____W

Answer:

Click to reveal HARROW


9 Across: "55. Extreme craving"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: L__T

Answer:

Click to reveal LUST


10 Across: "42. 2024 film that won Best Picture"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: A___A

Answer:

Click to reveal ANORA

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 5. Hot French beverage
2 Down 52. Comes to deserve
3 Down 24. Break off gradually
4 Down 63. Singer Lana Del ___
5 Down 2. Bit of chemistry
6 Down 49. Fraud victim's filing
7 Down 59. Potato discards
8 Down 47. ___ Marian (English folklore heroine)
9 Down 8. Cusp
10 Down 26. Lawyer's aide, informally

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:


1 Down: "5. Hot French beverage"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal THE


2 Down: "52. Comes to deserve"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E___S

Answer:

Click to reveal EARNS


3 Down: "24. Break off gradually"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: W__N

Answer:

Click to reveal WEAN


4 Down: "63. Singer Lana Del ___"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'Y'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal REY


5 Down: "2. Bit of chemistry"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: A__M

Answer:

Click to reveal ATOM


6 Down: "49. Fraud victim's filing"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: C___M

Answer:

Click to reveal CLAIM


7 Down: "59. Potato discards"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: E__S

Answer:

Click to reveal EYES


8 Down: "47. ___ Marian (English folklore heroine)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'M' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: M__D

Answer:

Click to reveal MAID


9 Down: "8. Cusp"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: B___K

Answer:

Click to reveal BRINK


10 Down: "26. Lawyer's aide, informally"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'A'
  • Word pattern: P__A

Answer:

Click to reveal PARA

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 45 seconds
Difficulty: A bit tricky

Common Questions About Trivia Week 2

When can I play the Trivia Week 2 Mini?

The Trivia Week 2 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 2?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 2 Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play Trivia Week 2?

No! The Trivia Week 2 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 2 solver?

Good Trivia Week 2 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 2?

Trivia Week 2 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.


About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: August 12, 2026 at 05:11 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini Trivia Week, Trivia Week {week_num}, Mini crossword Trivia Week, Trivia Week answers, NYT Trivia Week, August 12 2026 mini crossword

Friday, June 26, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers June 26, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Hectic time for JFK 4
2A 5. Bar of note? 4
3A 9. Texter's "Hang on a sec" 3
4A 12. Tightfisted sort 5
5A 14. Took an Uber, say 4
6A 15. Top banana 4
7A 16. Biggest restaurant size that nevertheless is often topped? 15
8A 19. Logic gate that is only on when neither input is 3
9A 20. Like many films in teaser trailers 11
10A 21. Spanish "both" 6
11A 23. Top banana, for short 3
12A 24. Ocean-mapping instruments 6
13A 25. Upper limit that cannot be exceeded 7
14A 29. Torment 5
15A 30. Symbol in the Kentucky Derby logo 4
16A 31. Jazz singer Anita 4
17A 33. Holders of nets 4
18A 34. Schlepped 5
19A 35. SCOTUS head count 4
20A 36. "Got it" 4
21A 37. Those for 4
22A 38. Sing like Sinatra 5
23A 39. Mickey Mouse 7
24A 41. Jewelry fasteners 6
25A 42. ___ will 3
26A 43. Slangy response to a knock at the door 6
27A 44. Onetime rap group whose initials spell out a synonym for "Jump Around," appropriately 11
28A 49. Unresponsive, maybe, for short 3
29A 51. Current affairs? 15
30A 53. Polite request 4
31A 54. Public transport option 4
32A 55. Popular toys, in a plural form officially discouraged by their maker 5
33A 56. ___ admin (I.T. role) 3
34A 57. "Look, here's the deal ..." 4
35A 58. Refuses to 4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Hectic time for JFK"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a christian holiday celebrating the birth of christ; a quarter day in england, wales, and ireland
  • Similar words include: Christmas, Dec 25, Christmas Day
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XMAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Bar of note?"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that agitation resulting from active worry
  • Similar words include: key pattern, fuss, swither
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Texter's "Hang on a sec""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "12. Tightfisted sort"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MISER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "14. Took an Uber, say"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
  • Similar words include: depend on, tease, hinge on
  • Opposite of: walk
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RODE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "15. Top banana"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a male monarch or emperor (especially of russia prior to 1917)
  • Similar words include: tsar, tzar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CZAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "16. Biggest restaurant size that nevertheless is often topped?"

15 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EXTRALARGEPIZZA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Logic gate that is only on when neither input is"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Like many films in teaser trailers"

11 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTYETRATED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Spanish "both""

6 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOSDOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Top banana, for short"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm; reports to a board of directors; may appoint other managers (including a president)
  • Similar words include: chief executive officer, chief operating officer
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CEO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Ocean-mapping instruments"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a measuring instrument that sends out an acoustic pulse in water and measures distances in terms of the time for the echo of the pulse to return
  • Similar words include: echo sounder, sonar, asdic
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SONARS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Upper limit that cannot be exceeded"

7 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HARDCAP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Torment"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
  • Similar words include: torture, suffering, excruciation
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AGONY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Symbol in the Kentucky Derby logo"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of many shrubs of the genus rosa that bear roses
  • Similar words include: stand up, rosaceous, rise up
  • Opposite of: turn in, wane
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Jazz singer Anita"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ODAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "33. Holders of nets"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
  • Similar words include: rim, brim, flange
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RIMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "34. Schlepped"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that carry with difficulty
  • Similar words include: add up, total, summate
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "35. SCOTUS head count"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
  • Similar words include: niner, baseball club, ennead
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "36. "Got it""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ISEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "37. Those for"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "38. Sing like Sinatra"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that sing softly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CROON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "39. Mickey Mouse"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (informal) small and of little importance
  • Similar words include: footling, superficial, petty
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRIVIAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "41. Jewelry fasteners"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together
  • Similar words include: grasp, grip, clench
  • Opposite of: unclasp, unbuckle
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLASPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "42. ___ will"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
  • Similar words include: inauspicious, badly, complaint
  • Opposite of: well
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ILL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "43. Slangy response to a knock at the door"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHODAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "44. Onetime rap group whose initials spell out a synonym for "Jump Around," appropriately"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOUSEOFPAIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "49. Unresponsive, maybe, for short"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "51. Current affairs?"

15 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ELECTRODYNAMICS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "53. Polite request"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MAYI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "54. Public transport option"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
  • Similar words include: ropeway, trolley, tramcar
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "55. Popular toys, in a plural form officially discouraged by their maker"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (trademark) a child's plastic construction set for making mechanical models
  • Similar words include: Lego set, Lego
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEGOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "56. ___ admin (I.T. role)"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "57. "Look, here's the deal ...""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OKSO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "58. Refuses to"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an established custom
  • Similar words include: habit
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WONT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Group of mutants 4
2D 2. Expert on cosmos? 10
3D 3. Expert on the cosmos 10
4D 4. "To be," in Tijuana 3
5D 5. Goals for those in a rush, informally 5
6D 6. Golf great McIlroy 4
7D 7. Unlikely scenarios, in techspeak 9
8D 8. Vacillated 8
9D 9. [WRONG!] 4
10D 10. Level 4
11D 11. Two-pronged fastener 4
12D 13. Was used up 6
13D 15. Stan's workplace on "American Dad!," for short 3
14D 17. Places to go in the U.K. 4
15D 18. Spur 4
16D 22. Third-generation Japanese American 6
17D 24. Draped garment 4
18D 25. Resting place 5
19D 26. Pulitzer-winning poet Aiken 6
20D 27. "Later, dude!" 10
21D 28. Prison design that allows one guard to keep watch on all the inmates 10
22D 30. Chess tactic in which the king and queen are attacked simultaneously by a single piece 9
23D 32. Itches 4
24D 34. Personalize for 8
25D 38. Like offspring in a strictly asexual lineage 6
26D 40. ___ Nam 4
27D 41. Likely contact point of an uppercut 4
28D 43. Self-driving car company started by Google 5
29D 44. Closes (in) 4
30D 45. Big name in skin care 4
31D 46. Some missed-exit maneuvers, informally 4
32D 47. Poli-___ (certain college major, for short) 3
33D 48. Smartphone predecessors, for short 4
34D 50. Second: Abbr. 4
35D 52. Copy cats? 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Group of mutants"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Expert on cosmos?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
  • Similar words include: barkeeper, barkeep, bartender
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MIXOLOGIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Expert on the cosmos"

10 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a physicist who studies astronomy
  • Similar words include: uranologist, stargazer
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASTRONOMER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. "To be," in Tijuana"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Goals for those in a rush, informally"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a social club for male undergraduates
  • Similar words include: frat, fraternity
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Golf great McIlroy"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RORY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Unlikely scenarios, in techspeak"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EDGECASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Vacillated"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that move unsteadily, with a rocking motion
  • Similar words include: seesaw, teeter, totter
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEETERED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. [WRONG!]"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BZZT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Level"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that tear down so as to make flat with the ground
  • Similar words include: take down, level, pull down
  • Opposite of: raise
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RAZE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Two-pronged fastener"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a small nail
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BRAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "13. Was used up"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RANDRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "15. Stan's workplace on "American Dad!," for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an independent agency of the united states government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest; headed by the director of central intelligence under the supervision of the president and national security council
  • Similar words include: Central Intelligence Agency
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CIA

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14D: "17. Places to go in the U.K."

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that austrian architect (1870-1933)
  • Similar words include: closet, water closet, W.C.
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LOOS

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15D: "18. Spur"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
  • Similar words include: egg on, goading, stab
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PROD

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16D: "22. Third-generation Japanese American"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SANSEI

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17D: "24. Draped garment"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a dress worn primarily by hindu women; consists of several yards of light material that is draped around the body
  • Similar words include: saree
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SARI

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18D: "25. Resting place"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HOTEL

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19D: "26. Pulitzer-winning poet Aiken"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english novelist (born in poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
  • Similar words include: Joseph Conrad, Teodor Josef Konrad Korzeniowski
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CONRAD

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20D: "27. "Later, dude!""

10 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADIOSAMIGO

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21D: "28. Prison design that allows one guard to keep watch on all the inmates"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an area where everything is visible
  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PANOPTICON

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22D: "30. Chess tactic in which the king and queen are attacked simultaneously by a single piece"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROYALFORK

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23D: "32. Itches"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a yearning for something or to do something
  • Similar words include: yen, yearn, ache
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: YENS

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24D: "34. Personalize for"

8 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAILORTO

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25D: "38. Like offspring in a strictly asexual lineage"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that of or relating to a clone
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLONAL

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26D: "40. ___ Nam"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VIET

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27D: "41. Likely contact point of an uppercut"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the protruding part of the lower jaw
  • Similar words include: Kuki, Kuki-Chin, chin up
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CHIN

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28D: "43. Self-driving car company started by Google"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WAYMO

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29D: "44. Closes (in)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
  • Similar words include: ahem, hem
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HEMS

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30D: "45. Big name in skin care"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OLAY

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31D: "46. Some missed-exit maneuvers, informally"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UEYS

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32D: "47. Poli-___ (certain college major, for short)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCI

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33D: "48. Smartphone predecessors, for short"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
  • Similar words include: personal organizer, organizer, organiser
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PDAS

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34D: "50. Second: Abbr."

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASST

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35D: "52. Copy cats?"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
  • Similar words include: sea mew, miaou, miaul
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

35 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
70 Total Clues

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Last updated: June 26, 2026 at 07:07 AM