The answer "PURGATORIO" refers to the second part of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, which is an allegorical journey. It lies between Inferno (Hell) and Paradiso (Heaven), symbolizing the realm where souls are purified. The clue directly references this progression in Dante's famous work.
Across
The ABA, or American Basketball Association, was a professional basketball league that operated from 1967 to 1976. It is known for its flashy style and innovations like the 3-point line. It merged with the NBA in 1976, aligning with the clue's timeframe.
4MADAMS??????✨ See Why
The clue "Titles for some chairs" uses a clever wordplay. "Chairs" can mean positions of authority or formal roles. "Madams" are often used as respectful titles for women, especially in leadership roles (e.g., Chairwoman). The plural "Madams" aligns perfectly with "titles" in the clue.
10MESS????✨ See Why
The answer "MESS" is correct because it completes the title of the Ray Charles song "Mess Around." This classic rhythm and blues track, released in 1953, is one of his popular hits, and the clue directly references its title.
14PURGATORIO??????????✨ See Why
The answer "PURGATORIO" refers to the second part of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, which is an allegorical journey. It lies between Inferno (Hell) and Paradiso (Heaven), symbolizing the realm where souls are purified. The clue directly references this progression in Dante's famous work.
16SRTA????✨ See Why
The answer "SRTA" is short for "Señorita," the Spanish title for an unmarried young woman. A quinceañera is a traditional Latin American celebration for a girl's 15th birthday, marking her transition to womanhood. Thus, the honoree would be addressed as "Señorita," making SRTA the correct answer.
17EYEWITNESS??????????✨ See Why
The clue "Observer with a phone, maybe" hints at a modern interpretation of witnessing events. An "EYEWITNESS" observes events firsthand, and with a phone, they might record or photograph what they see.
18TROY????✨ See Why
The clue "City of Paris?" uses wordplay. While "Paris" could hint at the capital of France, here it refers to Paris of Greek mythology, connected with the ancient City of Troy. Thus, "City of Paris?" cleverly leads to TROY, the city linked to Paris in the Trojan War legend.
19REPEL?????✨ See Why
The solution "REPEL" works for "Gross out" because to gross someone out is to disgust or strongly repel them. Both terms describe causing aversion or pushing others away emotionally or physically. The synonymy between "gross out" and "repel" fits the clue well.
20ONTAP?????✨ See Why
The answer "ONTAP" perfectly fits the clue "Like draft beers" because draft beers are stored in kegs and served directly from a tap system. The phrase "on tap" directly describes beer being ready to pour from a keg, making it the apt solution.
22OPS???✨ See Why
The answer "OPS" is short for "operations," specifically psychological operations (PsyOps). In the military, PsyOps involve strategies to influence enemy emotions, decisions, and behaviors through mental or psychological manipulation, aligning perfectly with the clue's description of "military mental manipulations."
23CRAN????✨ See Why
The clue "Juice in a cosmo" refers to the popular cocktail, the Cosmopolitan. A key ingredient in a Cosmo is cranberry juice. "CRAN" is a common shorthand or abbreviation for cranberry, making it the correct answer.
24GTA???✨ See Why
The clue "Region around T-Dot" refers to Toronto, often nicknamed "T-Dot." The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) surrounds Toronto, making it the fitting answer. The play on the nickname and geographical reference ties directly to this solution.
25AARGH?????✨ See Why
The clue describes a frustrated "cry" due to repeated failure, emphasizing exasperation. The spoken, expressive nature of "AARGH" matches the context of an annoyed reaction. Its lengthened spelling conveys intense irritation, aligning perfectly with the repeated vending machine rejection scenario. This nonverbal exclamation fits the clue's tone.
27USS???✨ See Why
The prefix "USS" stands for "United Star Ship" in the Star Trek universe. It is used to designate Starfleet spacecraft, such as the USS Enterprise. This aligns with the clue, as "Starfleet crafts" specifically refers to the ships in Star Trek, making USS the correct answer.
28TRE???✨ See Why
The clue refers to a specific basketball player: Tre Johnson. He is a highly touted prospect expected to be a 2025 NBA draft pick. "TRE" is his first name, making it the correct answer for this clue. This relies on knowledge of basketball and future draft projections.
29LORELAI???????✨ See Why
The answer is LORELAI because Lorelai Gilmore is the mother of Rory Gilmore on the TV show Gilmore Girls. The clue directly references Rory's mom, making Lorelai the correct and straightforward solution. This fits perfectly with the context of the show.
31GOINGOUTTOP???????????✨ See Why
Instead of a late-night work hour, a "night shift" is playfully redefined as a piece of clothing. Since a "shift" is a style of garment, a GOING OUT TOP is quite literally a shift you wear for a night out.
33WINETASTING???????????✨ See Why
The clue uses a pun with "rosé-colored glasses." At a wine tasting, you often encounter glasses filled with rosé wine. The wordplay hints at the literal presence of glasses (wine glasses) and rosé wine during a wine-tasting event, making WINETASTING the perfect fit.
34DELIVERISTA???????????✨ See Why
The answer "DELIVERISTA" is a playful term combining "deliver" and the trendy "-ista" suffix, suggesting someone stylish or professional. It fits the clue as it describes app-based delivery workers, like those transporting food or packages, often using e-bikes for quicker urban deliveries.
35MOMAGER???????✨ See Why
The answer "MOMAGER" is a blend of "mom" and "manager," referring to Kris Jenner's dual role as both mother and manager of her famous children. Notoriously, she’s credited with managing their careers while being heavily involved in their lives, coining the term "momager."
36NEA???✨ See Why
The NEA, or National Education Association, is the largest labor union in the U.S., representing millions of educators, including teachers and administrators. As a clue for "Largest U.S. labor union," this fits precisely because of the organization's size and prominent role in advocating for education professionals.
37ACT???✨ See Why
The clue "Make a scene?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Make a scene" can figuratively mean creating drama or acting out. Literally, it refers to performing a scene in theater or film. Thus, "ACT" fits perfectly as it means to perform or create a dramatic scene.
40CRASH?????✨ See Why
The answer is CRASH because it plays on the idea of a "fainting spell" resembling a sudden loss of consciousness or a collapse, metaphorically akin to a crash. The clue's mention of "The Pitt's Dr. Javadi" likely adds a playful narrative touch, giving this nickname a humorous context.
41SGT???✨ See Why
The answer "SGT" is short for "Sergeant," a military rank. Pro wrestler Sergeant Slaughter's character portrayed a patriotic military figure, adopting "Sergeant" as his title. The clue refers to his kayfabe (storyline) rank, making "SGT" the fitting abbreviation for his wrestling persona's rank.
42OMAR????✨ See Why
The answer is OMAR because Ilhan Omar is a well-known U.S. Representative from Minnesota, serving in Congress since 2019. Her last name, "Omar," directly matches the clue, which references her by her title and state of representation.
43COD???✨ See Why
The answer is COD because Mark Kurlansky’s 1997 book Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World explores the historical, cultural, and economic impact of cod fishing. The clue directly references the book’s subtitle, making it clear that COD is the fish in question.
44TOLET?????✨ See Why
The clue "Sign on an empty flat" refers to a sign indicating availability for rental. "Flat" is the British term for an apartment, and in the UK, it’s common to see "TO LET" signs on properties available for rent. The answer, therefore, is TOLET.
47OKINA?????✨ See Why
The clue "Character from Hawaiʻi?" uses wordplay. The ʻokina (ʻ) is a character in the Hawaiian alphabet, representing a glottal stop. It directly ties to Hawaiʻi's language and its unique orthography, making OKINA the apt solution for this pun-based clue.
48AWED????✨ See Why
The clue "Gobsmacked" conveys being astonished, amazed, or overwhelmed, often leaving someone speechless. "AWED" perfectly matches this definition, as it describes a state of wonder or amazement, aligning with the meaning of "gobsmacked." It's a concise, synonymous fit.
50MANICPANIC??????????✨ See Why
The answer is MANIC PANIC because it is a well-known hair-dye brand that was founded in 1977 in New York's East Village by punk rockers Tish and Snooky. Its iconic name and ties to alternative and vibrant hair color trends make it the perfect fit for this clue.
52FAIR????✨ See Why
The clue "Just" refers to being impartial, unbiased, or morally right—qualities associated with fairness. "Fair" aligns with this definition, as it means equitable and just treatment or behavior, making it a fitting answer. Both terms overlap in contexts of justice or righteousness.
53FROMDAYONE??????????✨ See Why
The term "ride-or-die" refers to someone deeply loyal and unwavering, often from the very beginning of a relationship or situation. "FROM DAY ONE" conveys this idea of constant support or loyalty starting at the very start, making it the perfect fit for the clue.
54ETTE????✨ See Why
The suffix -ette (answer: ETTE) is like -trix because both typically indicate feminine forms of words in English, often derived from Latin or French origins. For example, aviatrix (female aviator) parallels kitchenette (small kitchen). The clue plays on this linguistic similarity in formation patterns.
55GARETH??????✨ See Why
The answer is GARETH because Gareth Bale is a famous retired Welsh soccer player known for his incredible skills and achievements. He played for clubs like Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the Wales national team, gaining worldwide recognition. The clue directly refers to his name.
56RED???✨ See Why
The Washington Wizards' team colors are red, white, and blue, reflecting the U.S. national colors. Their jerseys prominently feature red as part of their design, symbolizing energy and passion, aligning with their team's identity. Therefore, "RED" is a straightforward and accurate answer.
Down
1APERCU??????✨ See Why
The answer "APERCU" comes from French, meaning a brief glimpse or insight, which aligns directly with the clue "Brief overview." It's commonly used in English to describe a succinct summary or quick account, matching the clue's intent.
2BUYERS??????✨ See Why
In a "bull market," stock prices are rising, encouraging investment. Those benefiting are "BUYERS," as they purchase stocks that are likely increasing in value, offering potential profit. The clue refers to this financial context, where buyers gain from upward market trends.
3AREPAS??????✨ See Why
AREPAS are a traditional Venezuelan staple made from ground corn, water, and salt, often grilled, baked, or fried. They are versatile, used as bread for stuffing with various fillings like cheese, meats, or beans, making them a significant part of Venezuelan cuisine, perfectly matching the clue.
4MAIL????✨ See Why
The answer "MAIL" fits because "blackmail" and "mailbox" are both legitimate compound words formed with "black-" and "-box," respectively. This clue plays on the versatility of "MAIL" being a valid link in both combinations. It requires recognizing these familiar word pairings.
5ATT???✨ See Why
"ATT" is short for "Attempts," a key statistic for quarterbacks in football, reflecting the number of passes they attempt during a game. The clue's brevity aligns with using a common abbreviation in sports terminology. This logical connection makes "ATT" a fitting answer.
6DONOTENTER??????????✨ See Why
The sign "DO NOT ENTER" fits the clue as it conveys a warning or prohibition fitting the secrecy of a "supersecret lair." The playful "maybe" implies a possible sign one might fictionally find, aligning with the lair's need for exclusivity and privacy.
7ARENA?????✨ See Why
The clue includes a pun with "probably built with public funds but named for a corporation," hinting at venues like corporate-branded sports or entertainment facilities. "Arena" refers to such multipurpose stadiums, commonly named after sponsoring corporations, despite often being funded by taxpayers or public means.
8MIST????✨ See Why
The answer "MIST" refers to the WNBA team "Minnesota Lynx," which historically dominated the league. However, "MIST" also cleverly plays on the word "unrivaled," suggesting a team hard to "miss" (phonetically similar to "MIST"), aligning with the pun in the clue.
9SOSA????✨ See Why
The answer is SOSA because Sammy Sosa, a famous baseball player, briefly held the single-season home-run record in 1998. He surpassed Roger Maris’s record but was overtaken just 43 minutes later by Mark McGwire, who hit another homer that same day, reclaiming the record.
10MST???✨ See Why
The answer "MST" refers to Mystery Science Theater 3000 (often abbreviated as MST3K), a cult-classic comedy show where characters humorously riff on bad movies. The clue uses "___3K" as a shorthand hint for the show’s widely recognized abbreviation.
11ERRORLOG????????✨ See Why
The clue "Bug-finding field?" uses a pun. "Bug-finding" refers to errors in software, and "field" can imply a record or location. An ERROR LOG is a field in computing where software errors ("bugs") are recorded, making it the perfect answer to the clue.
12STOPGAP???????✨ See Why
The phrase "Half-measure solution" suggests a temporary, improvised fix rather than a permanent one. A STOPGAP is exactly that—a quick solution or temporary measure used to address an issue until a more permanent fix can be implemented, making it a perfect match for the clue.
13SAYSHI??????✨ See Why
The clue "Greets" seeks a phrase synonymous with giving a greeting. "SAYS HI" fits perfectly as it's a common way to acknowledge someone verbally, aligning with the straightforward meaning of "greets." The casual phrasing reflects an everyday interaction fitting for the clue.
15GWEN????✨ See Why
The answer is GWEN because Hailee Steinfeld voices Gwen Stacy, also known as Spider-Woman, in the "Spider-Verse" animated films, including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel. The clue directly references her character from this movie series.
21PARTITA???????✨ See Why
The answer is PARTITA because Johann Sebastian Bach composed several "keyboard suites" titled "Partitas." These are collections of baroque dance movements written for the keyboard, showcasing Bach's mastery in this genre. The term "Partita" specifically refers to such a suite of instrumental pieces during Bach's time.
24GRIEVE??????✨ See Why
In labor relations, to "grieve" means to formally contest or challenge a decision or policy through a grievance process, often used by unions when they believe an employer has violated a contract or rights. The legal and procedural term fits well with the clue’s context.
26AETNA?????✨ See Why
The answer is AETNA, a health insurance company named after Mount Etna, an active volcano in Italy. The clue's humor lies in pointing out the irony: despite its volcanic namesake, AETNA doesn’t cover volcanic activity, highlighting the wordplay in the clue.
28TONIGHT???????✨ See Why
The word "TONIGHT" often appears on a marquee to indicate an event, show, or performance happening that evening. Marquees, commonly used outside theaters or venues, display current schedules or promotions. Thus, "TONIGHT" fits perfectly as a typical marquee word.
29LOSINGTIME??????????✨ See Why
Dillydallying refers to wasting time or being slow, which figuratively equates to "LOSING TIME." The use of "maybe" in the clue suggests this indirect connection, making LOSINGTIME the fitting answer.
30OUTSET??????✨ See Why
The clue "From the ___ (at the start)" directly points to the beginning of something. The word "OUTSET" means the start or beginning of an event, process, or situation, fitting perfectly with the clue’s meaning. Thus, OUTSET is the correct answer.
31GILAS?????✨ See Why
The clue "Monsters of the desert" refers to Gila monsters, lizards native to desert regions in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. They are venomous and known for their distinctive, beaded skin. The plural form "GILAS" fits the clue perfectly as it describes these desert-dwelling creatures.
32GAR???✨ See Why
The answer "GAR" fits because it's a nickname for "Garrett," and "bear" rhymes with "Gar" in the playful wordplay sense of nicknames. The rhyme-based phrasing in the clue with "might be" hints at this poetic nickname connection.
33WEMADEIT????????✨ See Why
The clue "Our moment has finally arrived!" is a jubilant exclamation often said when achieving a goal or reaching success. The answer, WEMADEIT, captures this celebratory phrase exactly, emphasizing accomplishment and arrival at a significant milestone, perfectly matching the provided statement in tone and meaning.
34DOROWAT???????✨ See Why
The answer is DOROWAT because it is a traditional Ethiopian stew made with chicken (doro) and boiled eggs, spiced with berbere and seasoned clarified butter (niter kibbeh). The clue directly defines the dish, requiring familiarity with Ethiopian cuisine to identify it.
35MCCAFE??????✨ See Why
The solution "MCCAFE" refers to McDonald's coffee shop brand, which is often featured within its restaurants. McDonald's is popular for its drive-through services, making MCCAFE a logical fit for "Drive-through coffee purveyor." The name combines "Mc" from McDonald's and "Café," indicating coffee offerings.
37AMINOR??????✨ See Why
The answer is AMINOR because Alicia Keys released an album titled Songs in A Minor in 2001. The clue directly references this album, which launched her career and includes hits like "Fallin'." The blank is filled with the musical key mentioned in the album's title.
38CANINE??????✨ See Why
The phrase "Woof woof animal" refers to an animal that barks, commonly associated with the sound "woof woof." This is characteristic of a dog. The term "canine" is an adjective for anything related to dogs and is often used to describe dogs themselves, making CANINE the correct answer.
39TRACED??????✨ See Why
The clue "Crossed the line?" uses wordplay with the question mark. "Crossed the line" can mean drawing over or following a line's path. To "trace" a line is to follow its outline or path, fitting the pun-based interpretation. Thus, the answer is TRACED.
41SENOR?????✨ See Why
The clue “Complement to 16-Across” references the related entry at 16-Across, which is likely SEÑORA (Spanish for "Mrs." or "ma'am"). SEÑOR, meaning "Mr." in Spanish, complements SEÑORA as a title for men in Spanish-speaking contexts, making SENOR the correct and logical answer.
42OKAY????✨ See Why
The clue "Middling" suggests something average, moderate, or not particularly good or bad. OKAY is a term commonly used to mean "adequate" or "mediocre," fitting perfectly as a synonym for "middling." It captures the sense of being neither excellent nor poor, just in the middle.
45OMFG????✨ See Why
The clue 🤯 or 😱 represents strong emotional reactions like shock, amazement, or disbelief. "OMFG" (Oh My F***ing God) is a commonly used internet slang and expressive abbreviation that conveys a similar extreme reaction, making it the fitting solution for the clue's tone and meaning.
46LARA????✨ See Why
The clue refers to two famous fictional characters sharing the name "Lara." Lara Croft is the protagonist of the Tomb Raider video game and movie series, and Lara Antipova is a central character in the novel and film Doctor Zhivago. Thus, the shared name "LARA" is the answer.
47OPAH????✨ See Why
OPAH is the solution because it refers to a large, round, and flat fish also known as moonfish. These colorful, disc-shaped fish are notable for their unique body shape and are widely recognized by this alternate name, "moonfish," aligning perfectly with the clue.
49DRE???✨ See Why
The answer "DRE" refers to Dr. Dre, the co-founder of Beats Electronics, known for its premium headphones and audio products. Apple acquired the company in 2014, making "Beats by Dre" a fitting reference to the brand's name and its originator.
51CDT???✨ See Why
CDT stands for Central Daylight Time, the time zone Chicago (home of the Cubs) uses during daylight saving time. "Clock setting" and "abbr." indicate a time-related abbreviation, making CDT the correct answer for the time zone relevant to Cubs games.
Solving today’s The Atlantic Crossword Puzzle and stuck on the 10-letter answer to the Allegory between Inferno and Paradiso 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.
Allegory between Inferno and Paradiso Answer Explained
The answer is PURGATORIO.
“Allegory between Inferno and Paradiso” points to PURGATORIO, the second part of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. If you know the poem’s structure, the clue becomes much easier: Inferno comes first, followed by Purgatorio, and finally Paradiso. The word “between” is both literal and descriptive. In the story, Purgatory is the mountain where souls are purified before entering Heaven, making it the middle stage between Hell and Paradise. The clue also uses “allegory” because The Divine Comedy is more than an adventure story. It is widely interpreted as an allegorical journey representing the soul’s path toward spiritual redemption and enlightenment.
Now that you've cracked the 14A Allegory between Inferno and Paradiso 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
I just finished today’s Sunday Atlantic Crossword, and it was a really satisfying end-of-week solve. The larger Sunday grid definitely took more time, but the extra length was filled with smart clues that kept me engaged the whole way through. My favorite was GOINGOUTTOP for “Night shift?” The question mark is the giveaway that it’s wordplay: not an overnight work shift, but the top you wear for a night out. It was one of those clues that made me grin once it clicked. I also loved PURGATORIO, clued as “Allegory between Inferno and Paradiso,” a nice literary reference to the middle part of Dante’s Divine Comedy. And “City of Paris?” leading to TROY was a great piece of misdirection, referring not to the French capital but to Paris of Greek mythology, whose actions sparked the Trojan War. Overall, it was a clever, rewarding puzzle that made the longer Sunday solve feel well worth the effort.
About The Atlantic Crossword and The Atlantic Games
A Daily Puzzle for Every Solver
The Atlantic Crossword is a daily digital crossword designed to challenge and delight solvers of all levels. It was launched in 2018 and has since become a standout offering among modern crosswords, with fresh clues and clever themes.
Weekday Progression: From Easy to Tricky
Monday to Friday: The puzzle starts small on Monday and increases in size and difficulty throughout the week.
Sunday Edition: A larger, more challenging puzzle appears every Sunday, constructed by a rotating cast of skilled puzzle makers.
Where to Play
You can access the crossword directly on The Atlantic’s website or via their mobile app.
Social Play Feature
Want to solve with friends? The Atlantic Crossword includes a Social Play option that lets you invite others to collaborate in real time, perfect for puzzling together from afar.
Free and Subscriber-Only Access
Most daily puzzles are free to play. However, some bonus content, like archives and special puzzles, may be reserved for Atlantic subscribers.
Part of a Growing Puzzle Lineup
The crossword is just one part of The Atlantic’s puzzle suite. Other original games include:
Bracket City: The Atlantic’s fan-favorite game, where you solve nested clues to uncover events from that day in history. Need help solving the clues? Try our Bracket City Answers and Hints.
Stacks: A fresh take on wordplay and strategy, where you sort layered word tiles into tidy stacks. Stuck on today’s set? Use our Stacks Solver.
Fluxis: A daily blend of language and logic, where the goal is to uncover a secret pattern. Try our Fluxis Solver!
Caleb’s Inferno: A monthly, high-difficulty puzzle from Caleb Madison that challenges even elite solvers.