LA Times Crossword Answers & Hints – Solve Today’s Puzzle

The word "SIDING" fits as the answer because it can mean aligning or agreeing with a particular person or group in a dispute or perspective, essentially taking their side in agreement. The parenthetical "with" in the clue underscores this sense of supporting or siding with someone.

The answer "SIC" fits because it means to incite or set something (often a dog) to attack or pursue something. The clue "Unleash (on)" hints at this command-like action of releasing or letting loose, aligning perfectly with the definition of "SIC."

The answer "INERT" fits the clue "Chemically quiet" because it describes substances that do not react easily with other chemicals. In chemistry, inert elements or compounds, like noble gases, lack reactivity, making them "quiet" in a chemical sense.

The answer "SNIDER" refers to Dee Snider, the lead singer of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. As a prominent figure in rock music, this matches the clue "Rocker Dee," identifying him by his last name.

HBO is the answer because it is the network that airs the television series Industry. The clue references the show directly, making HBO, the broadcaster of the series, the solution.

Levi's Stadium is home to the San Francisco 49ers, whose players are often referred to as "Niners." The clue directly ties the stadium to the team nickname, making NINER the correct answer.

The answer "AVOIDAVOID" plays on repetition for emphasis and humor. It suggests a deliberately vague yet dire warning: "Avoid" black holes—and avoid them entirely. The duplication emphasizes urgency and danger, fitting the playful tone signaled by the question mark in the clue.

The clue "Prickly plants" directly describes CACTI, which are well-known desert plants characterized by their spines or prickles. The plural form "plants" matches the plural "CACTI," adhering to crossword grammar rules. The spines serve as protection and water conservation, making CACTI identifiable as "prickly plants."

The clue "Green prefix" suggests a prefix related to the environment or ecology, as "green" often implies eco-friendliness or sustainability. "ECO" is a common prefix in terms like "ecology," "ecosystem," and "eco-friendly," all associated with environmental topics, making it the correct answer.

The answer is BAEZ because Joan Baez is a renowned folk singer and activist, often considered an icon in the folk music genre. Her influential career, spanning decades, includes hits like "Diamonds & Rust," and her role in popularizing folk music makes her a definitive match for the clue.

The answer "PALLID" fits the clue "Washed-out" because "pallid" means pale, lacking in color, or dull, which aligns with the description of something looking washed-out or drained of vibrancy. Both terms suggest a lack of brightness or vitality, making them synonymous.

The answer "CREMA" refers to the creamy, golden layer of foam that forms on top of a well-made espresso. This froth is produced when pressurized hot water emulsifies coffee oils, creating a rich texture and flavor. The clue directly points to this defining feature of espresso.

The clue uses playful wordplay. "Air travel" hints at a "plane." The phrase "fifth-best option?" signals repetition of "plane" since it ranks fifth in the sequence of modes of transport humorously (e.g., car, train, bike, etc.). Thus, "plane, plane" = PLANEPLANE.

ASSAM TEA is a common ingredient in English breakfast blends, known for its bold, robust flavor. Grown in Assam, India, it pairs well with milk and sugar, characteristic of this tea style. The clue hints at its inclusion in blends specific to British tradition.

The clue "Sci-fi beings" refers to extraterrestrials, which are a common element in science fiction. "ETs" is the abbreviation for extraterrestrials, frequently depicted as beings from other planets or galaxies. Hence, "ETS" is the fitting answer for this clue.

The answer "VAN" fits because vans are commonly known as vehicles equipped with sliding doors for convenient passenger or cargo access, especially in minivans or cargo vans. The clue points to this defining feature, making "VAN" the logical and specific solution.

The word "Waver" suggests unsteadiness or indecision, which aligns with the meaning of TEETER. To teeter is to move unsteadily back and forth, much like how someone might waver physically or metaphorically when uncertain or unstable. Hence, TEETER aptly fits this definition.

In this clue, "badgers" doesn't refer to the animal but uses wordplay to mean a group persistently "badgering" or bothering others, metaphorically tied to a "clan." Additionally, "clan" is traditionally a close-knit group, fitting the concept of unity or grouping implied in the clue.

REST is the solution because R&R stands for "rest and relaxation," a common phrase for taking a break or recharging. The clue asks for "Part of R&R," so the logical answer is "REST," which is one of the two components of the abbreviation.

The clue is a playful wordplay. "Ranking people on a scale of 'miffed' to 'downright furious'" refers to levels of anger. "IRATE" means angry, repeated intentionally to emphasize escalating anger levels. The duplication (IRATEIRATE) reflects the job of ranking anger, mirroring intensification along the scale.

The abbreviation "MISC" is short for "miscellaneous," which refers to a catchall category or group that includes various unrelated items or subjects. The clue hints at this by using "Catchall gp.," where "gp." stands for "group," making MISC the perfect fit.

The answer "DISS" fits because "bad-mouth" means to speak negatively about someone, and "diss" is slang for showing disrespect or insulting someone, aligning perfectly with the clue. Slang terminology is often used in crossword answers for casual phrases like "bad-mouth."

The answer is MONROE because Marilyn Monroe famously performed the song "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The clue directly references her iconic performance, cementing her association with the song.

The clue "Sun Devils sch." refers to Arizona State University (ASU), whose mascot is the Sun Devil. "Sch." is a common abbreviation for "school," making ASU the concise answer. The Sun Devils are well-known for their sports teams and represent ASU in collegiate athletics.

The clue "Snag" refers to capturing, obtaining, or acquiring something, which aligns with the meaning of "GET." In this context, "snag" is used as a synonym for successfully seizing or acquiring something, making "GET" a fitting answer.

The clue "Treble-makers?" with a question mark indicates wordplay. "Tweeters" refers to speakers in audio systems that produce high-frequency (treble) sounds. The playful use of "makers" highlights that tweeters are responsible for creating treble, tying the pun and literal meaning effectively.

The answer ROMEOROMEO is a playful pun. Juliet’s response cleverly combines the name "Romeo"—her love—with "Rome," a city often called "eternal." The repetition of "Romeo" mirrors her romantic declaration and answers the question by blending the eternal city with her eternal love.

The answer "SARIS" fits the clue "Colorful South Asian dresses" because saris are traditional garments worn primarily by women in South Asia. These draped garments are often vibrant, featuring intricate patterns and colors, making them an iconic and "colorful" part of South Asian attire.

The clue "Running groups?" features a pun. "SLATES" refers to groups of candidates running for election, typically presented as a collective list (or "slate"). The play on "running" ties to campaigning for office, making "SLATES" the fitting answer.

EROS is the solution because, in Greek mythology, Eros is the god of love and desire, and he is the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This clue directly references their mythological relationship, making EROS the accurate answer.

The answer is LAO because Laos (abbreviated as LAO) is a country that directly borders Thailand, making it a "Thai neighbor" geographically. Crossword clues often seek concise answers, and LAO refers to both the country and its people or language, fitting the clue perfectly.

The clue "Places for soaks" refers to locations where one can enjoy a relaxing soak in water. BATHS are rooms or facilities specifically designed for soaking in water, whether in bathtubs, hot baths, or public bathing spaces, making it the perfect answer to this clue.

The answer "UTILEUTILE" is a playful pun. "Utile" means useful or helpful, and in Scrabble, the letter "U" is crucial to forming "Q" words since almost all require a "U" after "Q." A "helpful draw" thus refers to getting a "U," making "UTILEUTILE" fitting.

The clue "Pair of hearts?" uses a question mark, signaling wordplay. In anatomy, the heart has two upper chambers, called atria (plural of atrium). They are literally a "pair" within the heart, making ATRIA a clever and fitting answer.

The answer "FAN" fits because an enthusiast is someone who is highly passionate or dedicated to something—like sports, music, or hobbies—and such a person is often referred to as a fan. The term conveys excitement and admiration, aligning perfectly with the clue.

The clue "Tickled" means to be entertained or delighted, fitting perfectly with the synonym "AMUSED." It’s a straightforward definition clue where "tickled" isn't literal but figuratively describes someone feeling light, happy enjoyment. AMUSED captures this playful emotional state.

The answer "REACT" fits the clue "Show emotion" because to "react" means to respond visibly or audibly to a situation, often demonstrating an emotional state such as surprise, anger, or joy. This aligns with the idea of showing or expressing emotions.

The clue "Estadio cheer" refers to the Spanish language and culture, as "estadio" means "stadium" in Spanish. "Olé" is a common Spanish cheer used at sports events or performances, often to express excitement and support, making it the perfect fit for this clue.

The clue "Most easygoing" refers to a superlative adjective describing the highest degree of being relaxed or lenient. "Lax" means relaxed or lenient, and its superlative form is "laxest," meaning the most relaxed or lenient. Hence, "LAXEST" fits perfectly as the solution.