Assembles - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Natural process we all go through" points to something universal and unavoidable. AGING fits perfectly as it refers to the natural, gradual process through which all living beings grow older over time. It’s a fundamental aspect of life, making it the logical solution to this clue.

The clue "Leave everything behind" suggests a fresh beginning or starting over. The phrase "MAKE A FRESH START" directly captures the idea of abandoning the past (leaving everything behind) and beginning anew, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The clue "Never ever" emphasizes something that has absolutely never occurred. The phrase "AT NO POINT IN TIME" directly conveys this meaning, as it articulates that at no time did the event or action happen, perfectly aligning with the clue's implication of total impossibility.

The answer is "SHE" because the tournament's name is "SheBelieves Cup," an annual women's soccer competition. The "She" highlights the empowerment and focus on women athletes, perfectly fitting the blank in the clue.

The phrase "Finalizes, with 'up'" implies completing or finishing something. "Sews up" is an idiom meaning to securely and definitively complete a task or situation, just as sewing ensures something is fastened or finalized. Hence, SEWS is the answer.

The clue "Some concerning forecasts, in weather-speak" hints at a shorthand term used in meteorology. "TSTORMS" is short for "thunderstorms," a weather phenomenon often associated with danger, such as heavy rain or lightning. The shorthand reflects the "weather-speak" mentioned in the clue.

The clue "Coffee rings, e.g." refers to the marks or discolorations left by spilled or dried coffee on surfaces. These marks are commonly called stains. "E.g." (abbreviation for "for example") indicates that coffee rings are a type of stain, matching the answer, STAINS.

The clue "Campaign activity" refers to an activity commonly associated with political campaigns. POLLING fits as it involves surveying public opinion, a critical part of gauging voter preferences and shaping campaign strategies. It directly ties to campaigns' efforts to assess their standing and voter sentiments.

The answer is SEAR because "sear" refers to a cooking technique often mentioned in stovetop recipes. It involves quickly browning the surface of food, such as meat, in a hot pan to develop flavor and texture. The clue directly points to this common culinary directive.

ATL is the abbreviation for Atlanta, home to the MLB team Atlanta Braves. They are a part of the National League (N.L.) East division, making them rivals of the New York Mets (NYM), who are also in the same division.

The clue "Like Junior Mints and Raisinets" describes both candies, which are covered in chocolate. The phrase "chocolate-coated" perfectly fits, as it literally means something covered in chocolate, matching the clue's description of these treats. This makes CHOCOLATECOATED the correct and logical answer.

A retrospective reviews past events, works, or achievements, often in art, film, or life. Its goal is to spark fresh curiosity or appreciation for what's being revisited. This aligns perfectly with the phrase "RENEWED INTEREST," which captures the outcome such reflections aim to inspire.

The Battle of the 300 Champions was fought between the ancient Greek city-states of Argos and Sparta around 546 BCE. Each side sent 300 soldiers to minimize casualties. Argos represents one of the two participants, hence answering the clue.

The answer "RIPE" fits the clue "Mature" because "ripe" commonly describes fruit or crops that have fully matured and are ready for harvest. In a figurative sense, "ripe" can also mean fully developed or reached a stage of readiness, aligning with the idea of being mature.

The answer is GLEE because "glee" is a synonym for "euphoria," both meaning joy or happiness. Additionally, "Glee" is the title of a popular TV show, aligning with the clue's stipulation of the synonym also being the name of a hit TV show.

The clue "Sendups" suggests humorous imitations or parodies, often mocking or ridiculing something. "Satire" refers to this exact concept, and its plural, SATIRES, fits the clue as multiple examples of sendups or comedic critiques. The playful language aligns with the clue's meaning.

The clue "Bare" bottom? uses wordplay. The word "Bare" suggests the least or the smallest possible amount, and "bottom" ties to the idea of the lowest point. Together, they hint at the answer MINIMUM, which means the bare minimum or the lowest amount possible.

The answer "MOLES" fits because moles are individuals who secretly infiltrate organizations, often to gather information or sabotage from within. The term aligns with "infiltrators of a sort," as it captures the idea of someone covertly working in disguise, drawing from the concept of espionage or deception.

The answer "PARTD" refers to Medicare Part D, which is a specific component of Medicare that provides prescription drug coverage. The clue directly hints at a Medicare section, and Medicare is structured into parts labeled with letters, making "PARTD" the correct and logical fit.

TSK is an oft-repeated onomatopoeic sound that mimics a "tut-tut" or clicking noise made by the tongue, commonly used to express disapproval or annoyance. The clue highlights "onomatopoeia" and repetition, making TSK—frequently doubled in use (e.g., "tsk tsk")—a fitting answer.

The answer "NEE" comes from the French word for "born." It is traditionally used to indicate a woman's maiden name (e.g., "Jane Doe, née Smith")—referring to the name she was once called before marriage, aligning with the clue "Once named."

The clue "Pike, for instance: Abbr." refers to Pike as a type of road or highway (e.g., the Massachusetts Turnpike). "RTE" is an abbreviation for "route," which is commonly used to describe roads or highways. Hence, RTE is the correct answer.

The answer "APU" refers to Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, a longtime character on The Simpsons. He has not had a speaking role since 2017 due to controversy over his portrayal, particularly concerns about stereotyping South Asians, which led to a reduction in his on-screen presence.

The answer "THEOLDS" is modern slang referring to "one's parents," playfully acknowledging them as "the old(er) generation." Slang often rebrands familiar terms, and this cheeky designation humorously highlights the age gap between parents and their children, fitting the casual tone of the clue.

The clue "Stops digging" uses wordplay. Here, "digging" means liking or being into something. To "stop digging" would then mean to stop liking it. The phrase "sours on" is a perfect fit, as it means to lose interest or enthusiasm for something, matching the clue's intent.

The phrase "Got by" implies managing or surviving with limited resources or under challenging circumstances. MADEDO perfectly fits as it means to make the best of a situation or to cope with what’s available, aligning well with the clue's context.

The question mark signals a pun: “Change seats?” isn’t about moving furniture but about SOFAS, the kind of seats that hide loose change like dimes behind their cushions. A clever twist where the surface misleads, and the answer plays on the double meaning of “change.”

The solution is BOSE, a renowned audio equipment brand. Its slogan, "Better sound through research," highlights its dedication to innovation in acoustics. This fits the clue perfectly, as it directly references the brand's tagline and its focus on sound quality through research.

The clue "Gown go-with" plays on the phrase "gown and town," commonly referring to the relationship between universities (gown) and the surrounding community (town). "Town" is the counterpart to "gown" in this pairing, making it the fitting solution.

The core of the human body refers to the central area, which includes the torso. The torso is the main body section without the head, arms, or legs, perfectly aligning with "Core location." The clue simply references anatomy, making TORSO the fitting answer.

The phrase "Freaks (out)" is a colloquial way of saying someone is losing composure or acting frantically. "Wigs" connects to this through the slang term "wigging out," which means freaking out or panicking. The answer employs this informal expression for the clue's meaning.

The clue "Lighting, sound production, etc." refers to the technical aspects involved in stage or event production. "TECH" is a shorthand term for "technical" or "technology," which encompasses tasks like managing lighting and sound systems. The abbreviation succinctly fits the context of the clue.

The answer "RAW" is fitting for the clue "Unprocessed" because "raw" directly describes something in its natural, untreated, or unaltered state. Whether referring to raw materials, data, or uncooked food, "raw" captures the essence of being unprocessed or untouched.

The clue "___ moment" refers to a sudden realization or breakthrough. "Aha" is an interjection commonly used to express that exact feeling of understanding or enlightenment, often called an "aha moment." This fits the clue perfectly due to its association with sudden insight.