The Atlantic Crossword Answers & Hints - Solve Today's Grid

The clue "Put in a tizzy" means to annoy, upset, or agitate someone. "IRKED" fits perfectly as it describes being annoyed or bothered, which metaphorically puts a person in a tizzy. It’s a straightforward synonym-based clue.

Thomas Edison was nicknamed the "Wizard of Menlo Park" because his famous laboratory was located in Menlo Park, New Jersey. It was where he invented many groundbreaking devices, including the phonograph and advancements to the light bulb. Hence, "MENLO" completes the nickname in the clue.

The clue "Base balancers" refers to chemistry, where acids neutralize bases in a reaction, balancing them out. This is a play on the dual meaning of "base" as both a fundamental element and a chemical base. Thus, the answer is ACIDS.

Patrick Star, a character from SpongeBob SquarePants, is a pink sea star. Sea stars, or starfish, typically have five arms or points, which are what the clue is referencing. Thus, the answer to the "Number of points on Patrick Star" is FIVE.

The answer is APERCU because it is a French term that translates to "insight" or a brief summary, which aligns with "General idea." The clue suggests an abstract or overarching understanding, and APERCU captures that sense precisely. Its French origin matches the subtle linguistic sophistication often seen in crossword puzzles.

The answer is NES because EarthBound, a popular role-playing game, was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (familiarly abbreviated as "Super NES" or just "NES"). The blank in the clue represents the "NES" part, and "familiarly" hints at the abbreviation.

The clue "Candy wrapper?" has a question mark, signaling wordplay. “SUGARCOAT” metaphorically means to cover or "wrap" something in sweetness, like candy. It's a clever pun rather than a literal candy wrapper, making "SUGARCOAT" the perfect fit for this playful clue.

The clue "It's a possibility for me" is a conversational phrase indicating a personal openness or option. "I MAY" directly translates to expressing possibility or willingness, fitting perfectly as a natural verbal response to the clue. The phrasing mirrors casual, spoken language, making IMAY the ideal answer.

The answer "NOMAD" fits the clue "Roaming one" because a nomad is a person or group that moves from place to place without a permanent home, perfectly matching the idea of someone who roams or wanders. This term directly aligns with the definition in the clue.

The answer "GRAND" refers to Grand Central Terminal, the iconic train station in New York City. The clue directly connects to a specific track (Track 23) within this station, and the poem title "___ Central, Track 23" completes naturally with "Grand," referencing the terminal's name.

The clue "¿Cómo ___?" is in Spanish, signaling the answer will also be in Spanish. "¿Cómo estás?" translates to "How are you?" in English, a common conversational phrase. Thus, ESTAS appropriately completes the phrase, making it the correct solution.

ROMEO is the solution because he is one of the "star-crossed lovers" in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The term "star-crossed" refers to their ill-fated romance, as foretold by the stars, making ROMEO a famously known lover in this context.

The answer is YAK because yaks are integral to Tibetan culture and livelihood, providing transportation, milk, wool, and meat. Tibetan folk dances often celebrate these animals, honoring their importance in daily life and traditions. The mention of "Tibetan" in the clue directly links to the yak's cultural significance.

The clue "I might be replaced by it?" is a play on words involving the "royal we," where a monarch refers to themselves as "we" instead of "I." This clue uses the pun of replacing "I" (singular) with "we" (plural). Hence, the answer is ROYALWE.

The clue mimics a common greeting or call to check for someone's presence, often "HELLO." This answer reflects what someone might say in such a situation, making it a fitting and conversational match.

The clue "Most wily: var." asks for the superlative form of "wily," meaning the most cunning or sly. "Var." indicates a variant spelling is acceptable. The answer "SLIEST" is a valid alternative spelling of "slyest," fitting the superlative form and the clue's hint of variation.

The answer is TOTORO because it refers to the beloved character from Studio Ghibli's film My Neighbor Totoro. Totoro is a magical, forest-dwelling creature and a friendly neighbor to the film’s protagonists, perfectly fitting the clue's description of a "beloved tree-dwelling neighbor."

The clue uses wordplay with "Conclusion of many schools of thought?" hinting at the suffix "-ism," which ends many philosophical or ideological "schools of thought" (e.g., realism, socialism). The pun lies in "conclusion" referring to the literal ending of those terms. Hence, the answer is ISM.

The clue "Exorbitantly" suggests something excessive. "Too" can mean overly or excessively, fitting this definition. For example, "too expensive" implies something exorbitantly costly. This concise synonym aligns well with the clue's straightforward meaning.

A hectare is a metric unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters. An acre is approximately 4,047 square meters, which is roughly two-fifths (or 40%) of a hectare. Hence, ACRE is the solution for "Two-fifths of a hectare" based on their proportional size relationship.

The answer is POETESS because Hissa Hilal is a female poet known for expressing her views through poetry, including her work "The Chaos of Fatwas." The feminine term "poetess" specifically aligns with the clue’s reference to a female writer.

The clue "Giddy greeting, maybe" ends with "maybe," suggesting a playful, informal tone. "HIYA" is an energetic, casual way of saying hello, aligning perfectly with the "giddy" (excited or upbeat) description. It's a cheerful, informal greeting that fits the clue's context.

The clue "Gala host?" uses wordplay. A "gala" is a type of apple, and the word "host" hints at where it is found or produced. An apple tree "hosts" (grows) gala apples, making APPLETREE the apt answer.

The word "crave" means to deeply desire or yearn for something, aligning perfectly with the definition provided in the clue "Yearn (for)." Both convey an intense longing, making CRAVE the ideal fit for the solution.

The clue "That's gonna leave a mark" is in quotes, suggesting the answer mimics a spoken expression or sound. "OOF" is a sound often used to convey physical pain or impact, fitting the idea of something causing a significant mark or bruise. Thus, OOF is the answer.

The answer "NUT" works because nuts like almonds and cashews can be sources of plant-based milk (e.g., almond milk). Additionally, nuts are often ingredients or "bits" in cookies, adding texture and flavor. The clue plays on this dual meaning for a clever wordplay.

The answer is CREED because it is a spin-off movie from the Rocky series. Michael B. Jordan stars as Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, a key character from the original Rocky films. The movie continues the boxing legacy in a new generation.

The answer is ORANGE because a Creamsicle is a frozen dessert made of vanilla ice cream coated with an orange-flavored layer. Its signature color is a distinct orange, representing the flavor and appearance of the outer layer of the treat.

The word "AMBIT" refers to the scope, extent, or boundaries of influence or activity. "Sphere of influence" directly defines this concept, as it represents an area within which power or influence is exercised, matching the meaning of AMBIT perfectly.

The answer is BOOTH because it commonly follows "toll-" (as in toll booth, where tolls are paid) and "polling-" (as in polling booth, where people vote). Both are enclosed spaces associated with these terms, making "booth" the logical connection.

The clue "Go honk-shoo, honk-shoo" represents the sound commonly associated with snoring. Clues in quotes indicate a sound or action, and "honk-shoo" mimics the rhythmic noise of someone sleeping and snoring. Thus, the answer "SNORE" fits this description perfectly.

The solution "ARC" refers to the curved shape of a rainbow, which forms an arc in the sky due to the refraction and reflection of light. A "rainbow bridge" metaphorically shares this shape, emphasizing its characteristic curve, making "ARC" the fitting answer.

The clue "Aristocratic abode" refers to a residence associated with the nobility or upper class. A "MANOR" is a large country house or estate historically owned by aristocrats or landed gentry, making it a fitting answer for this clue.

The clue "Illegal firing, say?" uses wordplay. "Firing" can mean setting something on fire, and "illegal" suggests a crime. ARSON is the criminal act of intentionally setting something on fire, making it an "illegal firing." The question mark signals this pun or double meaning.

The clue "Not right" refers to something being incorrect or wrong. The term "amiss" perfectly fits this definition, as it describes a situation, fact, or object being out of place, flawed, or not as it should be—essentially, "not right."

The word "SKIM" means to read something quickly, focusing only on the main points or overall idea, rather than going into detail. This aligns perfectly with the clue "Read quickly," as SKIM captures the essence of scanning text in a rapid, superficial manner.

The clue is in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase or imitation. "LALA" represents nonsensical filler sounds often used in place of forgotten lyrics in a song. It’s a playful way to mimic singing without words, perfectly fitting the clue’s context.

The phrase "Be under the weather" is a common idiom meaning to feel unwell or sick. The word "AIL" directly corresponds to this definition, as it means to suffer from poor health or discomfort, perfectly aligning with the clue.