NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The clue "Nashville-to-Memphis dir." asks for the directional path from Nashville to Memphis. On a map, Memphis is located southwest of Nashville, and "WSW" (west-southwest) is a precise compass direction pointing that way, making it the correct answer.

The answer is ACID because many exfoliators contain acids like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid. These chemical exfoliants help remove dead skin cells and promote skin renewal. The clue’s "often" signals a common ingredient, making ACID a fitting solution.

The phrase "The crack of dawn" refers to the very start of the day when the sun rises. "SUNUP" is a synonym for sunrise or dawn, making it the perfect fit for this clue. It's a straightforward reference to daybreak.

The clue “Oh, brothers, where art thou?” plays on the word “brothers,” which can refer to monks. Monks often live in religious communities or monasteries, commonly called ABBEYS. The punny question mark indicates wordplay, linking "brothers" to their home or gathering place: abbeys.

The clue “Sound relative” plays on the dual meaning of "sound" as both an auditory term and a geographic feature. A bay is a body of water connected to a larger body, often part of a sound. Thus, a bay is geographically related to a sound.

The phrase "I DARE NOT" fits as a "Formal turndown" because it is a definitive refusal. "From the fearful" emphasizes hesitation or fear, aligning with the cautious tone of "I dare not." The formality and fear captured in the clue are directly echoed in the phrase.

The answer is MIMES because mimes are performers traditionally recognized for their silent, expressive art form. They often wear black-and-white outfits and accentuate their expressions with black-and-white face paint, making it their iconic look. The clue directly describes this characteristic.

The answer "AVIA" is correct because Avia is a well-known athletic footwear brand, particularly recognized for producing running shoes. The clue directly asks for a running shoe brand, and Avia has been in this category since its founding in 1979.

The clue "Big whoop" plays on the phrase meaning something loud or significant. A "whoop" can refer to a loud shout or cry, which directly aligns with the word "YELL." The answer uses this wordplay to imply a vocal expression of excitement or intensity.

The phrase "OR ELSE" is commonly used to convey a threat or ultimatum, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Menacing words." It implies consequences if a demand or condition is not met, aligning well with the menacing tone described in the clue.

The 314th digit of pi is 9, which is an odd number. The clue plays on recognizing this specific digit in the infinite sequence of pi, with "like" indicating a characteristic – in this case, being "odd." Hence, the answer is ODD.

The clue plays on wordplay and beer knowledge. Weizenbocks are a specific, complex beer style, and "ones wise on" suggests expertise or pretension. "Beer snobs" aptly fits, as such people pride themselves on knowing and critiquing nuanced beer styles like Weizenbocks, often with a haughty attitude.

The clue "Cooler cousin" uses wordplay with "cooler," which can refer to a container that keeps things cold. Its "cousin" would be something similar: an ICEBUCKET, which also holds ice to keep drinks cold.

The clue "Stats for pitchers and race car drivers" refers to specific speed measurements. For pitchers, it can denote the fastest pitch thrown (measured in mph). For race car drivers, it signifies the highest speed achieved during a race. Thus, "TOP SPEEDS" perfectly fits both contexts.

The answer is YADA because it is commonly used to represent meaningless or trivial speech, similar to "blah." Popularized by the phrase "yada yada yada," it implies filler or unimportant details, making it a perfect fit for a nonsense word.

RAP is the solution because it refers to the music genre, and only two rap songs have ever won the Grammy for Song of the Year: "Lose Yourself" by Eminem and "This Is America" by Childish Gambino, highlighting the rarity of such recognition for this genre.

The clue “Water from a sippy cup?” uses wordplay. "Wa-wa" mimics the way a young child might say “water,” as children often have simple ways of pronouncing words. The sippy cup suggests a toddler's context, aligning with "wa-wa" as baby talk for water.

The answer "BONDS" fits "Strong ties" as it refers to connections or relationships that are solid and unbreakable, whether emotional (as in friendships or family bonds) or physical/chemical (as in molecular bonds). It captures the essence of something firmly united or linked together.

The clue "Checked out" can mean "looked at" or "examined." The word "EYED" fits perfectly as it describes the act of visually inspecting or observing something, aligning with the definition of "checked out" in this context.

The clue "Get-togethers arranged by parents" points to social gatherings organized for children to play together, often facilitated by parents. "PLAYDATES" fits perfectly as it's a common term for such planned play sessions. It aligns with the plural "get-togethers" in the clue and the parental involvement mentioned.

The answer "CANOEPOLO" fits because it refers to a hybrid water sport, often played with kayaks (despite the name "canoe"). Players use paddles to move and score, combining elements of kayaking and ball sports, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.

The clue "Many a divorcée" refers to women who are often separated from their spouses and raising children on their own. The term SINGLEMOM fits as it directly describes a divorced woman, frequently left as the primary caregiver for her children.

The clue "Junk, say" signals wordplay. A "junk" is a type of Chinese boat, and "say" indicates an example. Thus, "boat" is the correct answer, as "junk" can refer to a specific kind of boat.

The solution "REAM" refers to a standard bundle of paper, commonly found in offices. A ream typically contains 500 sheets of paper, making it a relevant term for "Bundle in an office." This straightforward clue connects naturally with office supplies terminology.

The answer is ROMANTIC because Lord Byron was a prominent figure in the Romantic literary movement, characterized by a focus on emotions, beauty, and nature. His poem "She Walks in Beauty" perfectly exemplifies these Romantic ideals, celebrating beauty and emotional depth.

The clue "Short day soon after the winter solstice?" uses wordplay. "Short day" hints at an abbreviation, and "soon after the winter solstice" refers to Christmas, which occurs shortly after December 21. The abbreviation for Christmas is XMAS, making it the correct answer.

The clue "Day break" is a wordplay hint. Here, "break" suggests a pause or rest, and "Day" refers to daytime. Together, they point to a brief rest taken during the day—a NAP. The pun lies in interpreting "break" as a literal break in activity for rest.

The clue "Entertainment centers" refers to physical spaces where events or performances happen. ARENAS are large venues designed for sports, concerts, or other entertainment, making them literal "centers" for entertainment. The plural form "centers" matches the plural form of ARENAS, confirming the fit.

The clue "Rental at a beach club" points to something typically rented at a beach for relaxation or shade. A CABANA is a small, temporary hut or structure on or near a beach, often available for rent, making it the perfect match for the clue.

The clue "Like good gossip" relates to the figurative use of "juicy" to describe intriguing, sensational, or scandalous gossip. "Juicy" implies information that's full of interest or excitement, much like how ripe fruit is flavorful and appealing. This metaphor matches the clue.

The clue "Spanish uncle?" plays on the phrase "say uncle," meaning to surrender. In Spanish, "No más" means "no more" and is famously linked to giving up, like boxer Roberto Durán’s famous surrender. The question mark hints at this wordplay.

The clue "Top story, maybe" uses a pun. "Loft" can mean the uppermost floor of a building, often referred to as the "top story." The wordplay lies in interpreting "story" as a level in a building rather than a news headline. Hence, "Loft" fits perfectly.

Zaydism and Isma'ilism are sects within Shia Islam, one of the two main branches of Islam. Shia Muslims believe in Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, as his rightful successor. These are subdivisions of Shia due to differing views on succession and leadership. Thus, the answer is SHIA.

The answer "WEDS" fits as "Brings together" because to wed means to unite in marriage, literally bringing two individuals together. This verb captures the act of joining or uniting, aligning perfectly with the clue's wording.

The suffix "ENE" is commonly used in organic chemistry to denote alkenes, which are hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon double bond. For example, "ethylene" and "butene" feature this suffix, signaling their structure as carbon compounds. Hence, ENE fits as the solution.

The clue references "fútbol" (Spanish for soccer), signaling a Spanish term. "GOL" is the Spanish word for "goal," a key moment in the game that prompts fans to cheer loudly. It perfectly fits as a celebratory exclamation from a fútbol fan.

The answer is SOY because "___ sauce" refers to a common condiment, and soy sauce is a widely known and frequently used one. The blank indicates the missing descriptor for "sauce," and SOY completes the phrase accurately based on culinary context.