The clue “Lead character in Zootopia?” features a pun. The "lead character" refers not to the protagonist, but the literal first letter of "Zootopia"—which is "Z." In American English, "Z" is pronounced "ZEE," making this the clever and accurate solution.
Across
Bohemia is a historical region located in the modern-day Czech Republic. "Nowadays" signals the present name of the area, and CZECHIA is the short official name for the Czech Republic adopted in 2016. Thus, CZECHIA is the correct answer.
8BEMOANS???????✨ See Why
The word "Laments" refers to expressing grief or sorrow. "BEMOANS" directly matches this definition, as it means to mourn or lament deeply. The structure of the clue as a straightforward noun aligns with the verb form "BEMOANS" as the answer.
9SEASICK???????✨ See Why
The clue “Green around some blue?” includes a pun. Being "green" hints at nausea, and "blue" refers to the sea. When someone is seasick (nauseous due to the motion of the sea), they are metaphorically "green" around the "blue." Hence, SEASICK is the fitting answer.
10NIT???✨ See Why
The clue "Critic's pick?" with a question mark signals wordplay. A "nit" refers to a small or trivial flaw, often picked out by critics. The pun lies in "picking" a nit, as critics metaphorically do when pointing out minor issues. Thus, NIT is the fitting answer.
11BEANIES???????✨ See Why
Tuques are knitted caps commonly worn in Canada. BEANIES is the answer because it refers to similar snug-fitting, knitted hats. Both terms describe warm headgear, but "tuques" is the Canadian term, while "beanies" is more widely used in other English-speaking regions.
15INTEAMS???????✨ See Why
The clue "How many employee-retreat games are played?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. Employee-retreat games are typically played collaboratively "in teams." The pun lies in interpreting "how many" as describing the manner in which they are played—thus, "INTEAMS" fits perfectly as the solution.
16DOESNOT???????✨ See Why
The clue "Fails to" indicates the negation of an action. "Does not" is a straightforward way of expressing failure to perform something. For example, "fails to complete" can be phrased as "does not complete," making DOESNOT the fitting solution.
Down
1CBS???✨ See Why
The answer is CBS because "Big Brother" is a popular reality TV show that has aired on the CBS network in the U.S. since 2000. The clue directly refers to the channel that broadcasts the show, making CBS the fitting solution.
2ZEE???✨ See Why
The clue “Lead character in Zootopia?” features a pun. The "lead character" refers not to the protagonist, but the literal first letter of "Zootopia"—which is "Z." In American English, "Z" is pronounced "ZEE," making this the clever and accurate solution.
3EMANATE???????✨ See Why
The answer "EMANATE" fits the clue "Flow forth" because "emanate" means to originate, radiate, or flow out from a source, matching the idea of something coming forth or spreading outward, as described in the clue. It directly ties to the concept of flowing or emitting.
4COSINES???????✨ See Why
In trigonometry, the secant (sec) is the reciprocal of the cosine (cos). Thus, the reciprocal of secants brings us back to cosines. This mathematical relationship makes "COSINES" the correct answer for the clue.
5HAITIAN???????✨ See Why
Toussaint Louverture was a key leader in the Haitian Revolution, which resulted in Haiti's independence. He was born in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) and is celebrated as a national hero, making "HAITIAN" the correct descriptor for someone like him.
6INC???✨ See Why
The answer is "INC," short for "Incorporated." In Merrily We Roll Along, "Franklin Shepard, Inc." satirizes the commercialization of art, as Franklin Shepard becomes a business-oriented figure, prioritizing profit over creativity—symbolized by becoming a corporate entity, or "Inc."
7ASK???✨ See Why
The term "ASK" in the stock market refers to the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for a stock. It contrasts with the "bid" price, which is the highest price a buyer is willing to pay. The clue directly describes this concept.
11BID???✨ See Why
The term "BID" in the stock market represents the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a stock. It is a standard term used in trading, aligning perfectly with the clue's definition.
12ENO???✨ See Why
The answer is ENO because Brian Eno is a renowned musician and composer widely credited as a pioneer of ambient music. Known for albums like "Music for Airports," his innovative approach to sound has made him synonymous with this genre, making ENO the fitting solution for the clue.
13EMO???✨ See Why
The answer "EMO" fits the clue "Like some sullen teenagers" because "emo" refers to a music genre and subculture often associated with emotional expression, introspection, and melancholic moods. Teenagers identifying as "emo" are stereotypically depicted as sullen or moody, which aligns with the clue.
14SST???✨ See Why
The answer "SST" stands for Supersonic Transport, like the Concorde, a high-speed aircraft known for its sonic booms ("boomer") as it broke the sound barrier. The clue includes "Former," as SSTs are no longer in operation, and "abbr." signals that the answer is abbreviated.
Solving today’s The Atlantic Crossword Puzzle and stuck on the 3-letter answer to the Lead character in Zootopia? clue? Don’t worry, Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.
Lead character in Zootopia? Answer Explained
The answer is ZEE.
This clue’s brilliance lies in its misdirection. You might first think it’s asking for a main character from Zootopia, maybe “Judy Hopps” or “Nick Wilde.” But “lead character” actually refers to the first letter of the word Zootopia, which is “Z.” The phrasing “lead character” (not “lead character of”) and the question mark are the tipoff that this is a wordplay clue. The answer, ZEE, is the way Americans pronounce the letter “Z.” It’s short, witty, and classic crossword trickery, a clue that rewards solvers who read literally and linguistically.
Now that you've cracked the 2D Lead character in Zootopia? clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s The Atlantic Crossword Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more The Atlantic Crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the Bracket City, Stacks, or NYT The Daily Crossword.
Today’s The Atlantic Crossword Highlights
This Wednesday puzzle has a clean, classic feel, balancing wordplay and knowledge-based clues. Solvers get a mix of cultural, scientific, and linguistic challenges, from musical-theater references like Merrily We Roll Along to mathematical terms such as COSINES. There’s clever misdirection in ZEE, where “lead character” refers to the first letter, not a protagonist. Crossword veterans will enjoy the precision of clues like ASK and BID, which trade on financial jargon. It’s tight, smartly clued, and rewards broad curiosity.
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