The answer "UPSET" fits because in sports, an unexpected victory by an underdog is called an "upset." Similarly, fans might feel emotionally "upset" due to the unexpected result, playing on the dual meaning of the word for both the outcome and the emotional reaction.
6EBBS????✨ See Why
The term "recedes" refers to something moving back or diminishing. "EBBS" is a synonym for receding or gradually declining, often used to describe the movement of tides or a gradual decrease in intensity, making it a perfect fit for this clue.
10ANI???✨ See Why
The answer is ANI because the jewelry brand "Alex and Ani" is popular for its charm bracelets and themed collections, including a Hot Wheels collection. The clue specifically refers to this brand, making ANI the correct completion for "Alex and ___."
13SECRETROOM??????????✨ See Why
"Hidden spot" suggests a concealed or secretive location. In a murder mystery, such places often play a role in uncovering clues or plot twists. The wordplay with “hidden” and “secret” aligns, leading to the solution SECRETROOM, a classic trope in mystery stories for secrets or evidence.
15DANK????✨ See Why
The answer "DANK" fits because it is a slang term commonly used to describe high-quality weed and, by extension, edgy or highly appreciated memes. The clue's playful tone and wordplay ("Quality of some memes or weed") hint at this informal, trend-driven connotation.
17HEARTHANDS??????????✨ See Why
The answer "HEARTHANDS" refers to the gesture of forming a heart shape with one's hands, a popular and recognizable expression of love or support. Its "generational divide" stems from younger generations frequently using it in social media culture, while older generations may be less familiar with its symbolic meaning.
18WNBA????✨ See Why
The clue "Sparks cooperation?" hints at wordplay. The Los Angeles Sparks is a team in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The "cooperation" refers to the league fostering teamwork, making WNBA the fitting answer linking "Sparks" and collective effort.
19ELM???✨ See Why
The clue refers to "Elm Street," famously connected to the fictional horror franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street. The families mentioned are a nod to characters from the series, making ELM the fitting answer tied to this infamous street name.
20ASKS????✨ See Why
The clue "Invites, maybe" with the question mark indicates a possible alternate interpretation. To "invite" someone could mean to "ask" them to join or participate. "Maybe" suggests the synonym isn't exact but close, and ASKS fits as a way of extending an invitation.
21RAJAS?????✨ See Why
The answer "RAJAS" refers to the monarchs or rulers in India during British rule. The British Raj governed India from 1858 to 1947, but many local rulers, known as rajas, maintained authority over specific regions with British oversight. Hence, "Leaders during the British rule" aptly describes RAJAS.
22REPARTEE????????✨ See Why
REPARTEE fits as the solution because it refers to quick, witty exchanges of dialogue—a hallmark of screwball comedies. These films often feature rapid-fire, clever banter between characters, which aligns with the definition of repartee: sharp, humorous conversation or verbal interplay. Both clue and answer capture that comedic essence.
25GARISH??????✨ See Why
The solution "GARISH" is fitting because many of Andy Warhol's works are characterized by their bold, vibrant colors and striking, exaggerated visuals. "Garish" refers to something overly bright or showy, which aligns perfectly with the aesthetic of Warhol’s iconic, eye-catching pop art pieces.
26DIME????✨ See Why
The clue "It might get turned on?" plays on the phrase "turn on a dime," which means to make a quick, sharp turn. The pun involves wordplay, with "dime" being something that figuratively gets "turned on" in this expression.
27ROAM????✨ See Why
The clue "Wander" directly aligns with the definition of the answer "ROAM," as both words mean to move around or travel aimlessly without a fixed direction. They are synonyms, making ROAM the perfect fit for this straightforward clue.
29AKA???✨ See Why
The answer is "AKA," which stands for "Also Known As." Onika Maraj is the real name of the rapper commonly known as Nicki Minaj, indicating that "Nicki Minaj" is her alternative or stage name. Thus, she is "also known as" Nicki Minaj.
30IMETSOMEONE???????????✨ See Why
The clue "Report after a match, maybe?" uses wordplay with “match” referring to a romantic meeting or date (like on a dating app). "Report" implies telling someone about the encounter. Thus, "I MET SOMEONE" fits perfectly as a casual way to share the outcome of the match.
34ANGERS??????✨ See Why
The clue "Infuriates" directly means "angers," as both words describe causing someone to feel intense annoyance or rage. They are synonyms, making ANGERS the perfect fit for this straightforward clue.
36PUNDIT??????✨ See Why
The answer is PUNDIT because the word originates from the Sanskrit term paṇḍita, meaning "learned man" or "scholar." A pundit refers to an expert or authority in a specific field, making it a fitting "position" for this clue. The etymology ties directly to the clue’s description.
37BOOMROASTED???????????✨ See Why
The clue "Post-dis discourse, maybe" with its playful tone suggests a phrase said after a "dis" (insult or burn). "BOOM, ROASTED!" is a well-known phrase, popularized by The Office, often exclaimed humorously after delivering a sharp insult, fitting the "post-dis" context perfectly.
39TIM???✨ See Why
The answer is TIM because Tim Curry is the renowned actor who famously played the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This cult classic film solidified Curry's status as an iconic performer, making "Tim" the fitting solution to this clue.
40BOSS????✨ See Why
The answer "BOSS" fits because a boss exercises control or authority over others, such as employees or teams. The phrase metaphorically aligns with managing or directing, which is a form of control. Hence, "Exercise control over" directly reflects the role of a boss.
41GERI????✨ See Why
The clue refers to Ginger Spice, a member of the Spice Girls. Her real name is Geraldine Estelle Halliwell, but she is commonly known as "Geri" Halliwell. Therefore, "GERI" is the given name being sought in this clue.
44WEASEL??????✨ See Why
The mustelid family is a group of carnivorous mammals that includes animals like otters, badgers, and weasels. WEASEL fits as it's a well-known mustelid. This clue refers to scientific classification, and "weasel" is a straightforward member of this animal family.
46TANGRAMS????????✨ See Why
TANGRAMS fits "Shape-shifting puzzles" because a tangram is a geometric puzzle consisting of pieces (shapes) that can be rearranged to form various figures. The clue's wordplay hints at the literal "shifting" of shapes, aligning perfectly with tangrams’ concept of rearranging shapes to solve puzzles.
50ENTER?????✨ See Why
The answer "ENTER" fits because it is a synonym for "Go in." Both mean to move into a space, whether physically (e.g., a room) or metaphorically (e.g., starting a competition or system). This straightforward clue has no tricky wordplay, making "ENTER" the precise answer.
51MAGI????✨ See Why
The clue uses a pun with "Star-trek characters." The MAGI, or the biblical Wise Men, followed a star to find Jesus. Thus, they "trekked" guided by a star, making them literal "star-trek characters." The question mark signals this playful wordplay.
52NDA???✨ See Why
The answer "NDA" stands for "Non-Disclosure Agreement," a contract designed to ensure confidentiality. The clue uses "hush-hush" to imply secrecy, and "for short" signals an abbreviation. An NDA legally binds parties to keep shared information private, aligning perfectly with the clue's context.
53ETTA????✨ See Why
The answer is ETTA because Etta James, the legendary singer, performed "If I Can't Have You," a soulful track from her 1960 album "At Last!" The clue references her last name, James, leading to her first name, ETTA, as the solution.
54POINTTAKEN??????????✨ See Why
The clue "I see, I see" is in quotes, signaling it's spoken. "I see" is often said to acknowledge understanding or agreement. Repeated, as in the clue, it emphasizes this acknowledgment, making POINTTAKEN ("I understand your point") a perfect fit as the answer.
57NOEL????✨ See Why
The answer "NOEL" refers to Noel Gallagher, one of the founding members of the British rock band Oasis. He famously described his brother and bandmate, Liam Gallagher, with the quoted metaphor, highlighting their often tumultuous relationship and Noel's sharp wit. Thus, "Oasis member" points to Noel.
58STREETMEAT??????????✨ See Why
The clue "Spit take on the sidewalk?" involves wordplay. "Spit" refers to a skewer used for grilling meat, and "take on the sidewalk" hints at food sold on the street. Together, this play on words points to "STREET MEAT," which typically refers to grilled food sold by street vendors.
59TRY???✨ See Why
The answer is TRY because "Try Again" is a well-known hit song by Aaliyah, released in 2000. The blank in the clue represents the first part of the song's title, and completing it with "TRY" forms the correct title: "Try Again."
60TEES????✨ See Why
The clue "Stock for some screen printers" refers to items that screen printers commonly print designs on. "Stock" here means the blank material used, and "screen printers" often print on T-shirts (TEES). Thus, TEES are a stock item for screen printers, making it the correct answer.
61YADDA?????✨ See Why
In Beyoncé's song "Heated," she repeats the word "yadda" several times in the lyrics as part of an expressive and rhythmic sequence. The clue's phrasing, "Word repeated," points directly to this repeated lyrical element, making YADDA the correct answer.
Down
1USHER?????✨ See Why
The answer is USHER because in the hit song "Yeah!" by Usher, his name is prominently repeated at the start of the track. This clue references the song's iconic beginning, where Usher introduces himself with his name.
2PEELED??????✨ See Why
The phrase "Like wary eyes" describes being highly alert and watchful. The term "eyes peeled" is a common expression meaning to stay vigilant or attentive. Hence, "PEELED" fits perfectly as the solution, capturing the metaphorical state of being wary or on high alert.
3SCAMPI??????✨ See Why
The answer "SCAMPI" refers to the Italian American dish "Shrimp Scampi," which is commonly served at Red Lobster. It combines Italian-style garlic butter sauce with shrimp, making it a well-known menu item and reflecting both Italian culinary influence and Red Lobster's seafood focus.
4ERR???✨ See Why
The clue "Make a mess of things, maybe?" hints at potentially making a mistake or an error, as suggested by "maybe," indicating uncertainty. The word "ERR" means to make a mistake or go wrong, matching the idea of creating a mess conceptually. The question mark indicates wordplay.
5TET???✨ See Why
The answer is TET because it refers to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration. During Tet, red envelopes containing money are traditionally given as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. This cultural custom explains the connection between the occasion and red envelopes.
6ERASE?????✨ See Why
The “pink end of a pencil” refers to the eraser, commonly found on pencils. To "use" it implies its function: removing errors or marks. Thus, the action described matches the word "ERASE," which means to remove or rub out, making it the perfect fit for the clue.
7BONKERS???????✨ See Why
The phrase "Completely off-the-wall" means extremely unconventional or crazy. "BONKERS" is a slang term that similarly describes something or someone as crazy, absurd, or wildly eccentric, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. It’s a straightforward synonym for the clue provided.
8BODS????✨ See Why
"BODS" is short for "bodies," referring to the muscular physiques commonly seen at Muscle Beach, a famous location associated with fitness and bodybuilding. This clue also specifies "for short," indicating the abbreviation. Thus, "BODS" aptly captures the sights one might expect there.
9SMS???✨ See Why
The answer "SMS" stands for Short Message Service, which is a technology used for sending text messages via mobile phones. The clue "Texting tech" directly refers to this widely used system, making SMS the fitting solution as the underlying technology for texting.
10ADWAR?????✨ See Why
The clue "It might include cross promotions?" uses wordplay. "Cross promotions" hints at advertising (promotions) and "cross" suggests overlapping or roles crossing paths. ADWAR refers to "ad war," a competitive advertising strategy where ads cross-target audiences, often seen in rival campaigns. Hence, "ADWAR" ties to the wordplay effectively.
11NANJIANI????????✨ See Why
The clue references the actor Kumail from the film The Big Sick. Kumail Nanjiani, a comedian and actor, co-wrote and starred in this critically acclaimed 2017 romantic comedy-drama based on his own life. Thus, "NANJIANI" is the actor's last name and the correct answer.
12INBASKET????????✨ See Why
The answer "INBASKET" fits because an "in-basket" (or inbox) is a place where tasks, documents, or items requiring attention are placed. A "to-do" label represents pending tasks, often associated with items in an in-basket, making it the right match for the clue.
14THAT????✨ See Why
The answer "THAT" is part of the title of Mariah Carey’s song "Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme)." The blank naturally completes the phrase "Can’t Take ___ Away," as "that" is the word used in the actual song title.
16KASHA?????✨ See Why
KASHA is the solution because "kasha varnishkes" is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish made with buckwheat groats (kasha) and bowtie pasta. The blank in the clue points to the first part of the dish name, making "kasha" a perfect fit for this comforting Jewish food.
21RAMENEGG????????✨ See Why
A RAMEN EGG is a soft-boiled egg marinated in a mixture typically including soy sauce, giving it rich flavor and a dark hue. Often served with ramen, it qualifies as a snack steeped in soy sauce, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.
23AMIGO?????✨ See Why
The clue "Bud" refers to a friend or companion. Since "amigo" is the Spanish word for "friend," it fits perfectly here. The clue hints at familiarity and camaraderie, and the absence of a foreign language indicator suggests its broader recognition as a term for "friend."
24REMEMBER????????✨ See Why
The phrase "Remember, remember, the 5th of November" is from a traditional English rhyme associated with Guy Fawkes Night, commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The blank is filled with "REMEMBER" to complete the rhyme accurately.
25GAMUT?????✨ See Why
The clue "It's a whole thing" refers to the full range or extent of something. "GAMUT" means the complete range or spectrum, often used to describe something from beginning to end, encompassing everything—a whole thing. Hence, GAMUT fits perfectly as the solution.
28OOPS????✨ See Why
The clue "My bad!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken or exclamatory phrase. "OOPS" is a common expression used to acknowledge a mistake, aligning perfectly with the informal tone of "My bad!" as an admission of error. Hence, OOPS is the solution.
31ERROL?????✨ See Why
The answer is ERROL because Errol Morris is a renowned filmmaker and documentarian, celebrated for works like The Thin Blue Line and Fog of War. The clue refers directly to his first name, making ERROL the correct solution.
32TSOS????✨ See Why
The answer is TSOS, referring to General Tso's chicken. This popular American Chinese dish is named after General Tso Tsung-t'ang, a 19th-century Chinese military leader, though he wasn't associated with the dish. The clue directly points to this well-known dish, often sweet and tangy.
33ODDER?????✨ See Why
The clue "Curioser and curioser" references the phrase from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which plays with the idea of something becoming stranger or more unusual. The comparative form "curioser" suggests a progression, making "ODDER" (comparative of "odd") the appropriate, pun-filled answer.
34ABIENTOT????????✨ See Why
The clue uses a linguistic analogy: "tschüss" is a German way to say "goodbye" informally. The French equivalent is "à bientôt," which means "see you soon" or "goodbye" in an informal context. This matches the analogy, making ABIENTOT the correct solution.
35NOMATTER????????✨ See Why
The clue "Bit of a concession speech, maybe?" uses wordplay. A concession speech often expresses acceptance of a loss. "No matter" is a dismissive phrase signifying something doesn’t significantly impact or is unimportant, commonly said when conceding or moving on. It fits the tone of a concession.
38ASTAIRE???????✨ See Why
The clue "Rogers's partner" refers to the iconic dance and acting duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They starred together in many classic films, showcasing their chemistry and remarkable dance routines. ASTAIRE is the solution because he was Ginger Rogers's famous partner on screen.
39TWEEN?????✨ See Why
The term "TWEEN" refers to preteens, typically kids aged 10-12, who are "in between" childhood and adolescence. Middle school generally includes grades 6-8, aligning with this age group, making "TWEEN" a fitting answer for "Many a middle schooler."
42RANKED??????✨ See Why
The clue "On the board, maybe" uses wordplay. "Board" can refer to a leaderboard or ranking board, often displaying positions or standings. Being "ranked" means appearing on such a board. The "maybe" hints at this figurative interpretation rather than a literal board. Thus, RANKED fits perfectly.
43IMDEAD??????✨ See Why
The clue "What 💀💀💀💀 might mean, in a text" uses emojis as a visual stand-in for "I'm dead." In texting slang, "I'm dead" humorously expresses being overwhelmed, often due to laughter or shock. Thus, the emoji skeletons represent this phrase, leading to the answer IMDEAD.
45SEALY?????✨ See Why
SEALY is the solution because it is a well-known mattress brand that produces the Posturepedic line, specifically designed to offer support and comfort. The word "Posturepedic" directly ties to this brand, making SEALY the correct answer.
47AGNES?????✨ See Why
The answer is AGNES because Saint Agnes of Rome was a child martyr who lived around 304 C.E. and is venerated in Christianity. According to tradition, she was executed after refusing marriage proposals, choosing to remain devoted to her faith and vow of purity.
48NITE????✨ See Why
The answer is "NITE" because "Nick at Nite" is the official name of Nickelodeon's after-dark programming block. It uses "Nite" as a playful, informal spelling of "night," aligning with the family-friendly and lighthearted tone of the network.
49SANTA?????✨ See Why
The answer is SANTA because "Santa Baby" is a famous Christmas song performed by Eartha Kitt in 1953. The blank in the clue indicates the missing word from the song's title, making SANTA the correct solution.
51MOTE????✨ See Why
The term "MOTE" directly means a tiny speck, particle, or dot of something, like dust or dirt. "Speck" and "MOTE" are synonymous, making it the perfect fit for this clue. The straightforward definition aligns them both as something minuscule.
54PST???✨ See Why
The answer is PST (Pacific Standard Time) because PST is the time zone that is exactly three hours behind EST (Eastern Standard Time). This reflects the standard time difference between the U.S. East Coast and West Coast regions.
55TTY???✨ See Why
TTY stands for "Teletypewriter," a device that enables text communication over phone lines, often used by individuals with hearing or speech impairments. It’s considered an early form of texting technology, aligning with the clue’s reference to "Texting tech."
56AMA???✨ See Why
AMA stands for "Ask Me Anything," a popular online event format where a host (often on platforms like Reddit) answers questions from participants. The abbreviation matches the clue's "abbr." hint, indicating a shortened form. "Online event with a host" aptly describes an AMA session.
Stuck on today’s Atlantic Crossword? Reveal letters one by one, unlock full answers, or dig into clue explanations, all at your own pace. Whether you're here for a hint or the whole solution, we've got your back.
The puzzle had a lively, modern vibe with plenty of playful cluing. Slangy entries like BOOMROASTED, IMDEAD, and HEARTHANDS balanced nicely with classics like REPARTEE and TANGRAMS, making it feel fresh without losing backbone. There were a few excellent misdirects like “Report after a match?” for IMETSOMEONE and “Star-trek characters?” for MAGI, that kept the solve surprising. Proper names (NANJIANI, ABIENTOT) and menu items (RAMENEGG) added cultural texture, though they might trip up less pop-culture-tuned solvers. Overall, an engaging, clue-rich Sunday grid that rewards flexibility and modern awareness while still honoring traditional crossword wit.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
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