27443 Mon Dec 30, 2024 NY Times Crossword Clues Hints

Break down the NYT Crosswords: December 30, 2024

Let's go into the puzzle, starting with the across clues and answers, followed by the down clues and answers.

Mon Dec 30, 2024 NY Times

Across Clues with Answers:

• The clue is 1. Brainy. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: SMART

  Possible Answer : impudent, sassy, hurt, impertinent, smarting, overbold, chic, fresh, saucy, smartness, ache, bright, voguish, wise, smart

  Possible Opposite Answer : stupid




• The clue is 6. Wacky. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ZANY

  Possible Answer : clownish, silly, zany, goof, goofy, whacky, goofball, wacky, twat, cuckoo, clownlike, cockamamy, sappy, goose, buffoonish, bozo, jackass, fathead, cockamamie




• The clue is 10. Desktop computer that might run Sonoma or Sequoia. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: IMAC




• The clue is 14. Choir member. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: TENOR

  Possible Answer : tenor, tenor_voice, strain




• The clue is 15. Writer Wiesel. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ELIE




• The clue is 16. Forbidden. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: NOGO




• The clue is 17. Waiter's imperative after bringing food. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ENJOY

  Possible Answer : savour, delight, revel, relish, love, bask, enjoy, savor

  Possible Opposite Answer : suffer




• The clue is 18. Flower that reflects yellow when held under one's chin. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: BUTTERCUP

  Possible Answer : butter-flower, butterflower, buttercup, crowfoot, kingcup, goldcup




• The clue is 20. It might have a twist or hole. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: PLOT

  Possible Answer : plot_of_land, plot, patch, diagram, plot_of_ground, secret_plan, game, plat




• The clue is 21. What a sleeve covers. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ARM

  Possible Answer : weapon, branch, weapon_system, build_up, fortify, limb, gird, sleeve, subdivision, arm

  Possible Opposite Answer : disarm




• The clue is 22. "Don't worry about me!". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: IMOKAY




• The clue is 23. Primitive timer. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: HOURGLASS

  Possible Answer : hourglass




• The clue is 26. Surface for doing exercises. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: MAT

  Possible Answer : lustrelessness, felt_up, matt-up, entangle, flat, matte_up, Master_of_Arts_in_Teaching, lusterlessness, MAT, mat_up, gym_mat, felt, matt, matting, matte, mat, snarl, flatness, tangle, matted

  Possible Opposite Answer : unsnarl, disentangle




• The clue is 27. Globes. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ORBS

  Possible Answer : eyeball, globe, orbit, ball, orb, revolve




• The clue is 28. Going out romantically. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: ONADATE




• The clue is 32. #1 pal. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: BESTIE




• The clue is 35. Language suffix. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ESE

  Possible Answer : ESE, east_southeast




• The clue is 36. Father. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SIRE

  Possible Answer : father, get, engender, mother, bring_forth, generate, sire, beget, forefather




• The clue is 37. Music genre prefix. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: ALT

  Possible Answer : altitude, EL, ALT, elevation




• The clue is 38. N.F.L. all-star game. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: PROBOWL




• The clue is 41. Texter's reaction to a joke. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: LOL




• The clue is 42. Some beers. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ALES

  Possible Answer : ale




• The clue is 44. Bathroom fixture. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: TUB

  Possible Answer : vat, tub, bathtub, tubful, bath, bathing_tub




• The clue is 45. Clinks a glass and gives a speech to. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: TOASTS

  Possible Answer : toast, drink, pledge, crispen, goner, crisp, wassail, salute




• The clue is 47. Indian pastries with savory fillings. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: SAMOSAS

  Possible Answer : samosa




• The clue is 49. Obnoxious person, informally. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TOOL

  Possible Answer : instrument, pecker, peter, prick, putz, creature, joyride, puppet, tool, shaft, cock, dick, tool_around




• The clue is 50. "All you need is love and a ___" (old saying). Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: CAT

  Possible Answer : cast, cat-o'-nine-tails, honk, guy, Arabian_tea, hombre, throw_up, big_cat, retch, African_tea, vomit, regurgitate, Caterpillar, barf, CAT, sick, regorge, upchuck, disgorge, vomit_up, spew, spue, be_sick, computed_axial_tomography, qat, computerized_tomography, cat, bozo, khat, quat, computed_tomography, kat, true_cat, computerized_axial_tomography, puke, purge, chuck, CT

  Possible Opposite Answer : keep_down




• The clue is 51. Place for policy wonks. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: THINKTANK




• The clue is 56. Huge to-dos. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: SCENES

  Possible Answer : fit, scenery, panorama, setting, view, vista, prospect, tantrum, conniption, shot, aspect, picture, scene




• The clue is 59. "Sounds good!". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: YES

  Possible Answer : yes

  Possible Opposite Answer : no




• The clue is 60. Norse god of war and death. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ODIN

  Possible Answer : Odin




• The clue is 61. Make logical sense ... or what the ends of 18-, 23-, 38- and 51-Across do. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: HOLDWATER




• The clue is 63. Grammarian's concern. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: USAGE

  Possible Answer : use, employment, usage, custom, exercise, utilization, usance, utilisation




• The clue is 64. Troubles. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ILLS

  Possible Answer : ill, complaint, ailment




• The clue is 65. Number of planets before Pluto was demoted. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: NINE

  Possible Answer : ix, IX, nine, 9, ball_club, club, ennead, baseball_club, nine-spot, niner, Nina_from_Carolina




• The clue is 66. Food item that might come with lox. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: BAGEL

  Possible Answer : beigel, bagel




• The clue is 67. El ___, Tex.. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: PASO




• The clue is 68. Exhausted, metaphorically. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: DEAD

  Possible Answer : beat, all_in, perfectly, numb, drained, bushed, deadened, idle, utterly, utter, absolutely, short, suddenly, abruptly, dead, stagnant

  Possible Opposite Answer : live, alive, living




• The clue is 69. Put forth, as effort. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: EXERT

  Possible Answer : exert, maintain, exercise, wield

SMART

Down Clues and Answers:

• The clue is 1. Basketball star Curry. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: STEPH

• The clue is 2. ___ Park, location of Edison's first major laboratory. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: MENLO

• The clue is 3. Type of pear. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ANJOU

  Possible Answer: Anjou, anjou

• The clue is 4. Plant affliction that's below ground. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: ROOTROT

• The clue is 5. Attempt. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: TRY

  Possible Answer: attempt, try_out, adjudicate, try_on, try, endeavour, hear, render, assay, test, prove, effort, examine, stress, endeavor, sample, judge, strain, taste, essay, seek

• The clue is 6. Creatures that are actually black with white stripes. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: ZEBRAS

  Possible Answer: zebra

• The clue is 7. What grads become. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ALUMS

  Possible Answer: potash_alum, graduate, grad, ammonia_alum, ammonium_alum, alum, alumnus, potassium_alum, alumna

• The clue is 8. Tiny complaint. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: NIT

  Possible Answer: nit

• The clue is 9. Abominable Snowman. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: YETI

  Possible Answer: abominable_snowman, yeti

• The clue is 10. Advances. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: INROADS

  Possible Answer: inroad

• The clue is 11. Shirley Temple and Virgin Bloody Mary, for two. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: MOCKTAILS

• The clue is 12. H₂O, in Mexico. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: AGUA

  Possible Answer: agua_toad, Bufo_marinus, agua

• The clue is 13. "I understand you". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: COPY

  Possible Answer: copy, written_matter, replicate, imitate, simulate, re-create, transcript

• The clue is 19. Character described by Austen as "a heroine whom no one but myself will much like". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: EMMA

• The clue is 21. Canadian province that's home to the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: ALBERTA

  Possible Answer: Alberta

• The clue is 24. Grasp tightly. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: GRIP

  Possible Answer: hold, spellbind, grasp, handgrip, bag, fascinate, transfix, traveling_bag, grapple, clutch, clutches, adhesive_friction, travelling_bag, grip, hairgrip, clench, suitcase, traction, bobby_pin, clasp, handle

• The clue is 25. Meh. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SOSO

• The clue is 29. Units of force. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: NEWTONS

  Possible Answer: newton, N, Newton, Sir_Isaac_Newton, Isaac_Newton

• The clue is 30. Gait faster than a walk but slower than a canter. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: TROT

  Possible Answer: trot, pony, crib, jog, clip, lope, Trotskyist, Trotskyite, Trot

• The clue is 31. Snakelike fish. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: EELS

  Possible Answer: eel

• The clue is 32. Sheep sounds. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: BAAS

  Possible Answer: baas, blat, blate, baa, bleat

• The clue is 33. "Enchanted" girl in a Gail Carson Levine book. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: ELLA

• The clue is 34. Biomedical building blocks. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (9 letters)

  The answer: STEMCELLS

• The clue is 35. Recede, as the tide. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: EBB

  Possible Answer: ebb_down, ebb_out, reflux, ebbing, ebb, ebb_away, ebb_off, wane

  Possible Opposite Answer : tide

• The clue is 39. Remove from office. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: OUST

  Possible Answer: drum_out, oust, throw_out, expel, kick_out, boot_out

• The clue is 40. Cry made while pointing. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: LOOK

  Possible Answer: looking_at, take_care, depend, expect, feeling, spirit, wait, search, front, look, reckon, tone, see, await, flavour, expression, looking, attend, aspect, flavor, facial_expression, seem, face, smell, bet, feel, appear, calculate, count

  Possible Opposite Answer : back

• The clue is 43. No-goodnik. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: SOANDSO

• The clue is 46. Jazz combo instrument. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

  The answer: ALTOSAX

• The clue is 48. Dish served from a crockpot. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: STEW

  Possible Answer: sweat, swither, grizzle, stew, fret, lather, grudge, brood

• The clue is 49. In stacks, like a wedding cake. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

  The answer: TIERED

  Possible Answer: tiered

• The clue is 52. Evil hench-animal in "The Lion King". Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: HYENA

  Possible Answer: hyena, hyaena

• The clue is 53. "The early bird gets the worm," for one. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: ADAGE

  Possible Answer: adage, proverb, saw, byword

• The clue is 54. Landlocked African country. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: NIGER

  Possible Answer: Republic_of_Niger, Niger, Niger_River

• The clue is 55. Prepared to propose. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

  The answer: KNELT

  Possible Answer: kneel

• The clue is 56. Wish for a romantic pairing between, in modern parlance. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SHIP

  Possible Answer: embark, send, ship, transport

  Possible Opposite Answer : disembark

• The clue is 57. Pepsi or Coke. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: COLA

  Possible Answer: Cola, genus_Cola, Colon, dope, Aspinwall, Costa_Rican_colon, colon, El_Salvadoran_colon, cola

• The clue is 58. Contents of a 23-Across. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

  The answer: SAND

  Possible Answer: guts, backbone, Baroness_Dudevant, gumption, Sand, sandpaper, Amandine_Aurore_Lucie_Dupin, moxie, sand, grit, George_Sand

• 
  

  
  

• The clue is 62. "How to ___ a ___" (common tutorial topic). Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: TIE

  Possible Answer: link_up, draw, bind, standoff, attach, affiliation, wed, tie, marry, sleeper, tie-up, necktie, splice, tie_beam, link, crosstie, bond, linkup, connect, railroad_tie, association, tie-in

  Possible Opposite Answer : untie, disconnect

• The clue is 63. Purple yam common in Filipino cooking. Can you find the Answer?

  Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

  The answer: UBE

XWordHint Crossword Answers July 16, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

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

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Today's Puzzle Difficulty
• Across Clues Table (37 clues)
• Across Clues - Detailed Hints
• Down Clues Table (44 clues)
• Down Clues - Detailed Hints
• Expert Solving Strategies
• Today's Puzzle Statistics

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Moderate

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

Across Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Smart	4
2A	5. Sensation	5
3A	10. Acquisition on the big day	5
4A	15. "That's a good one!"	4
5A	16. Galápagos island that was home to Lonesome George, the last tortoise of his subspecies	5
6A	17. Who knows what preceded the Big Bang	5
7A	18. *Yes — three arduous ones	16
8A	21. February 14, informally	4
9A	22. Scratch that!	4
10A	23. El ___	3
11A	24. Like novices	5
12A	26. Spoil	6
13A	28. Preceder of how, way or where	3
14A	29. *Yes — sometimes more than 1,000	9
15A	31. Patooties	5
16A	33. Little dipper?	3
17A	34. "Tout à fait!"	3
18A	35. Tire	4
19A	37. *Yes — exactly one, in common usage	12
20A	42. First line on many a form	4
21A	43. Common garnish in a chirashi bowl	3
22A	44. Had at present?	3
23A	47. Article of lab wear	5
24A	50. *No — but it does have three feet	9
25A	53. Elizabethan curse	3
26A	54. Country that las islas Canarias are part of	6
27A	57. Important blood line	5
28A	58. "___ is the proper task of life": Nietzsche	3
29A	59. Business whose rewards program gives "Stackholder Perks"	4
30A	60. Raving	4
31A	61. Question during a brainstorming session ... or of the answers to the starred clues	16
32A	67. Popular Japanese brew	5
33A	68. Alcohol, slangily	5
34A	69. Literary heroine who says "I would always rather be happy than dignified"	4
35A	70. Its capital is Sanaa	5
36A	71. Heavens	5
37A	72. Debugging component?	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Smart"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that elegant and fashionable; ; ; ; - julia child
• Similar words include: classy, swish
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POSH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Sensation"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a vigorous blow
• Similar words include: break, bash, crush
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Acquisition on the big day"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INLAW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "15. "That's a good one!""

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "16. Galápagos island that was home to Lonesome George, the last tortoise of his subspecies"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PINTA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "17. Who knows what preceded the Big Bang"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOONE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "18. *Yes — three arduous ones"

16 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IRONMANTRIATHLON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. February 14, informally"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VDAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Scratch that!"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation
• Similar words include: urge, spoil, itching
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ITCH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. El ___"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the united states army's principal law enforcement agency responsible for the conduct of criminal investigations for all levels of the army anywhere in the world
• Similar words include: Criminal Investigation Command
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CID

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Like novices"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
• Similar words include: unripe, common, gullible
• Opposite of: ripe

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GREEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "26. Spoil"

6 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a narrow pass (especially one between mountains)
• Similar words include: corrupt, befoul, sully
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEFILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "28. Preceder of how, way or where"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one or some or every or all without specification
• Similar words include: whatever, whatsoever
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. *Yes — sometimes more than 1,000"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that any of numerous herbivorous nonpoisonous arthropods having a cylindrical body of 20 to 100 or more segments most with two pairs of legs
• Similar words include: milliped, millepede
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MILLIPEDE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "31. Patooties"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that thick end of the handle
• Similar words include: backside, stooge, behind
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BUTTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. Little dipper?"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that one of the digits of the foot
• Similar words include: toenail
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. "Tout à fait!""

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OUI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "35. Tire"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
• Similar words include: iris, ease up, sag
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FLAG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. *Yes — exactly one, in common usage"

12 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DIRECTFLIGHT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. First line on many a form"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a language unit by which a person or thing is known
• Similar words include: figure, public figure, identify
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Common garnish in a chirashi bowl"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that fish eggs or egg-filled ovary; having a grainy texture
• Similar words include: hard roe
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "44. Had at present?"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day
• Similar words include: give, experience, throw
• Opposite of: lack, abstain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAS

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23A: "47. Article of lab wear"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a loose coverall (coat or frock) reaching down to the ankles
• Similar words include: gaberdine, duster, gabardine
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SMOCK

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24A: "50. *No — but it does have three feet"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a measure or standard used for comparison
• Similar words include: yard measure
• Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YARDSTICK

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25A: "53. Elizabethan curse"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)
• Similar words include: syphilis, lues, lues venerea
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POX

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26A: "54. Country that las islas Canarias are part of"

6 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern europe on the iberian peninsula; a former colonial power
• Similar words include: Spain, Kingdom of Spain
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ESPANA

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27A: "57. Important blood line"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AORTA

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28A: "58. "___ is the proper task of life": Nietzsche"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
• Similar words include: artistry, artistic production, graphics
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ART

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29A: "59. Business whose rewards program gives "Stackholder Perks""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IHOP

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30A: "60. Raving"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
• Similar words include: zealous, greedy, esurient
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVID

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31A: "61. Question during a brainstorming session ... or of the answers to the starred clues"

16 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOESTHISHAVELEGS

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32A: "67. Popular Japanese brew"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASAHI

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33A: "68. Alcohol, slangily"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that flavorful relish or dressing or topping served as an accompaniment to food
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAUCE

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34A: "69. Literary heroine who says "I would always rather be happy than dignified""

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a shallow salt lake in south central australia about 35 feet below sea level; the largest lake in the country and the lowest point on the continent
• Similar words include: Lake Eyre
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EYRE

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35A: "70. Its capital is Sanaa"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a republic on the southwestern shores of the arabian peninsula on the indian ocean; formed in 1990
• Similar words include: Republic of Yemen
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEMEN

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36A: "71. Heavens"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
• Similar words include: aether, ethyl ether, quintessence
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ETHER

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37A: "72. Debugging component?"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEET

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Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Letter after upsilon	3
2D	2. Trireme tool	3
3D	3. Cleared, as snow	8
4D	4. "Messiah" composer	6
5D	5. Neuter	4
6D	6. What a big hand indicates: Abbr.	3
7D	7. Its colony can be considered one superorganism	3
8D	8. Struggle	6
9D	9. World's most populous Creole-speaking country	5
10D	10. Pretty much assured	8
11D	11. Japanese drama	3
12D	12. Feline in a 2000s meme	6
13D	13. Dub ... or rub	6
14D	14. Fast-food restaurant that sells Frostys	6
15D	19. ___-pedi	4
16D	20. Oft-injured part of the knee, for short	3
17D	24. Clock-setting std.	3
18D	25. ___ Bravo (México/Tejas border)	3
19D	26. Certain tie score	5
20D	27. Mince words?	4
21D	30. Frost piece	4
22D	32. Sound of dissatisfaction	3
23D	35. Botanist's study	5
24D	36. Told stories	4
25D	38. Business ending	3
26D	39. Roll in dough	8
27D	40. Actress/union leader Drescher	4
28D	41. Symbol of spiritual insight, in Hinduism	8
29D	45. Class ___	3
30D	46. Music genre with "walking" bass lines	3
31D	47. Steamy occasion?	6
32D	48. Lugubrious	6
33D	49. Pioneers' prairie pullers	6
34D	50. Harangues	6
35D	51. Store	4
36D	52. Worked sufferingly	6
37D	55. "Pipe down!"	3
38D	56. Composure	5
39D	60. Attest	4
40D	62. ___-goat	3
41D	63. "Wait ... really?"	3
42D	64. One of a kind	3
43D	65. Test for future Ph.D.s	3
44D	66. Not needing anything else	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Letter after upsilon"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the 21st letter of the greek alphabet
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PHI

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2D: "2. Trireme tool"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that an implement used to propel or steer a boat
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OAR

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3D: "3. Cleared, as snow"

8 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that dig with or as if with a shovel
• Similar words include: shovel
• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHOVELED

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4D: "4. "Messiah" composer"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a prolific british baroque composer (born in germany) remembered best for his oratorio messiah (1685-1759)
• Similar words include: George Frideric Handel, George Frederick Handel, Georg Friedrich Handel
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HANDEL

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5D: "5. Neuter"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that remove the ovaries of
• Similar words include: alter, neuter, castrate
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. What a big hand indicates: Abbr."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
• Similar words include: Amoy, Taiwanese, Hokkianese
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Its colony can be considered one superorganism"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
• Similar words include: pismire, emmet
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Struggle"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that lack of agreement or harmony
• Similar words include: discord
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STRIFE

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9D: "9. World's most populous Creole-speaking country"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a republic in the west indies on the western part of the island of hispaniola; achieved independence from france in 1804; the poorest and most illiterate nation in the western hemisphere
• Similar words include: Republic of Haiti, Hispaniola, Hayti
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HAITI

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10D: "10. Pretty much assured"

8 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INTHEBAG

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11D: "11. Japanese drama"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NOH

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12D: "12. Feline in a 2000s meme"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LOLCAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Dub ... or rub"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that choose by or as if by divine intervention
• Similar words include: embrocate, anele, inunct
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANOINT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "14. Fast-food restaurant that sells Frostys"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WENDYS

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15D: "19. ___-pedi"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MANI

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16D: "20. Oft-injured part of the knee, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "24. Clock-setting std."

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the local time at the 0 meridian passing through greenwich, england; it is the same everywhere
• Similar words include: Greenwich Mean Time, UT, Greenwich Time
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GMT

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18D: "25. ___ Bravo (México/Tejas border)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the former capital and 2nd largest city of brazil; chief brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
• Similar words include: Rio de Janeiro
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RIO

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19D: "26. Certain tie score"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game
• Similar words include: dickens, two, devil
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEUCE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "27. Mince words?"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
• Similar words include: edit out, blue-pencil, delete
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EDIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Frost piece"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
• Similar words include: verse form
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POEM

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22D: "32. Sound of dissatisfaction"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UGH

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23D: "35. Botanist's study"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that all the plant life in a particular region or period
• Similar words include: plant life, vegetation, botany
• Opposite of: fauna

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FLORA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Told stories"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a german art song of the 19th century for voice and piano
• Similar words include: lie in, dwell, consist
• Opposite of: stand, arise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. Business ending"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a heterogeneous collection of groups united in their opposition to saddam hussein's government of iraq; formed in 1992 it is comprised of sunni and shiite arabs and kurds who hope to build a new government
• Similar words include: Iraqi National Congress
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: INC

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26D: "39. Roll in dough"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAKEITIN

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27D: "40. Actress/union leader Drescher"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FRAN

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28D: "41. Symbol of spiritual insight, in Hinduism"

8 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: THIRDEYE

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29D: "45. Class ___"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
• Similar words include: routine, human activity, do
• Opposite of: refrain

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACT

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30D: "46. Music genre with "walking" bass lines"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKA

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31D: "47. Steamy occasion?"

6 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SPADAY

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32D: "48. Lugubrious"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that showing a brooding ill humor; ; ; ; ; ; - bruce bliven
• Similar words include: glowering, glum, saturnine
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOROSE

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33D: "49. Pioneers' prairie pullers"

6 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OXTEAM

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34D: "50. Harangues"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YAPSAT

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35D: "51. Store"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that (sports) the act of preventing the opposition from scoring
• Similar words include: write, keep, make unnecessary
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SAVE

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36D: "52. Worked sufferingly"

6 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Similar words include: moil, labor, dig
• Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOILED

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37D: "55. "Pipe down!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "56. Composure"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that a cgs unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimeter; the viscosity of a fluid in which a force of one dyne per square centimeter maintains a velocity of 1 centimeter per second
• Similar words include: cool, aplomb, assuredness
• Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: POISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "60. Attest"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that report or maintain
• Similar words include: affirm, assert, say
• Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVER

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40D: "62. ___-goat"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SHE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "63. "Wait ... really?""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HUH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

42D: "64. One of a kind"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

• Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Similar words include: genius, wiz, wizard
• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACE

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43D: "65. Test for future Ph.D.s"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

• Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GRE

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44D: "66. Not needing anything else"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SET

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

37 Across Clues

44 Down Clues

81 Total Clues

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Last updated: July 16, 2026 at 05:58 AM