Never ever - NYT The Crossword Clue

The word "collect" in this clue means to gather or accumulate items, which directly matches the definition of "amass." "Amass" refers to the act of gathering or accumulating a large amount of something, making it the precise solution for this clue.

The clue "Shortening for bakers" plays on the word "shortening," referring not only to a baking ingredient but also to abbreviations. TSP is the common abbreviation for teaspoon, a precise measurement frequently used by bakers. This makes TSP an appropriate "shortening" in this context.

The sacra are triangular-shaped bones at the base of the spine, formed by the fusion of five sacral vertebrae as humans reach adulthood. This process creates a single, solid structure, which is why "Triangular bones that fuse in adulthood" aptly points to the answer, SACRA.

The clue "Assembles" suggests bringing things or people together. "GATHERSTOGETHER" directly means to collect or unite in one place, perfectly synonymous with "assembles." Its repetitive nature emphasizes the act of coming together collectively or fully. This strong alignment makes it the fitting answer.

The clue "You didn't fool me" is enclosed in quotes, suggesting the answer is a spoken phrase. "I KNEW IT ALL ALONG" fits perfectly as it's a common expression someone uses to convey they were never deceived or misled, aligning directly with the clue's meaning.

The Neo-Assyrian Empire (934-609 BCE) was a historical period in Mesopotamia when Assyria reached its peak as a dominant military and political power. "Neo" means "new," signifying this later phase of the Assyrian Empire. Hence, "NEO" completes the clue logically.

The clue plays on the dual meaning of "season" and "spoiler." A "spoiler" disrupts enjoyment by revealing key plot points of a TV show's season (annoyance). The phrase "middle of a season" hints at timing when spoilers are most impactful, cleverly tying to this frustration.

The term "Top suit" is a wordplay clue. Here, "suit" refers metaphorically to an executive wearing a business suit. The "top" suit, or the highest-ranking executive in a company, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Thus, CEO is the correct answer.

The term "Generational disconnects" refers to differences or divisions between generations, such as in beliefs, technology use, or cultural understanding. These differences can be metaphorically described as "GAPS," highlighting the spaces or separations that exist in communication or understanding between generations.

The answer is ERNIE because the Sesame Street character, performed by Jim Henson, famously sung "Rubber Duckie," which hit No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. This makes Ernie the first Muppet to achieve this chart success.

The clue "Takes the field?" with a question mark indicates a play on words. "Field" refers not to a sports field but a grassy area. To "take the field" could mean cutting or trimming it, which is what "MOWS" does—cutting grass in a field. Hence, MOWS is the answer.

FOAM is a lightweight, cushioning material commonly used to fill packages, protecting items during shipping. This aligns perfectly with the clue "Package filler, often," as it's a practical and widely used solution to prevent damage while in transit.

The clue "Yahoo rival" refers to another web portal or internet service provider competing with Yahoo. MSN (Microsoft Network) is a longstanding platform offering similar services like email, news, and search, making it a direct "rival" to Yahoo in the online space.

The clue "Leaves aside?" with a question mark signals a pun. "Pile" refers to a heap or stack, like a pile of leaves set aside. The wordplay lies in interpreting "leaves" literally (as in foliage) rather than metaphorically (as in ignoring).

TRITONS are spiral-shelled mollusks from the gastropod class, known for their distinct, large spiral shells. The clue directly references their shell shape, making this the correct answer. Additionally, Triton shells are named after the sea god Triton in mythology, emphasizing their oceanic nature.

GRANADA is the solution because it is a city in Spain known for the Alhambra, a historic Moorish palace and fortress. The clue specifies "Spanish city," pointing to GRANADA, as it is famously linked to this iconic architectural and cultural landmark.

The answer "SENILE" fits the clue "Declining late in life" because it refers to a state of mental or physical decline often associated with old age. The term describes the deterioration of cognitive abilities, such as memory or reasoning, which is common in advanced years.

The answer "TRITIP" fits because it refers to a specific beef cut popular in Santa Maria-style barbecue, a Central California tradition. The tri-tip is a triangular cut from the bottom sirloin. Its distinctive shape and flavor make it iconic in this regional barbecue style.

K Street in Washington, D.C., is famously associated with numerous lobbying firms, think tanks, and advocacy groups. The clue “Likely lobby locale in D.C.” refers to this street's reputation as the center of political lobbying, making KSTREET the fitting answer.

The answer is SETMENU because a "set menu" offers pre-selected dishes with little to no choice for the diner, fitting the clue’s description of a "restaurant option that lacks options." It contrasts with à la carte menus where individual choices are made.

The answer "HIES" is an older or more formal term meaning to hurry or make haste. It’s a less common word in modern usage but fits perfectly as a synonym for "makes haste," matching the clue definition directly.

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization, which is a type of health insurance group providing services through a network of approved doctors and hospitals. "In-network grp." refers to such a group that operates within a specific network, making HMO the fitting answer.

The clue "Channel" leads to DUCT because a duct is a passage or conduit that channels or directs the flow of air, liquid, or other substances. It aligns with the definition of "channel" as a pathway or route for movement or transport.

The clue "Phisher's collection, for short" hints at a common online scam where "phishers" collect sensitive personal data. "For short" signals an abbreviation. SSNs, or Social Security Numbers, are a prime target. The plural form is abbreviated as SSNS, fitting the clue perfectly.

The clue "Doozy" implies something outstanding or remarkable. "Beaut" is short for "beauty," often used informally to describe something exceptional or impressive—essentially a "doozy." This synonymy matches the clue’s description of something extraordinary.

The luxury conglomerate LVMH stands for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. The "M" in LVMH represents "Moët," referring to Moët & Chandon, a famous champagne house that is part of the conglomerate. The clue directly asks for what one letter (M) in LVMH stands for, making the answer "MOET."

The solution "OTT" refers to Mel Ott, a legendary Hall of Fame baseball player nicknamed "Master Melvin." Ott was a celebrated slugger for the New York Giants in the early 20th century, known for his exceptional hitting. "Master Melvin" is a direct reference to his admired playing career.

The clue "Corruption below deck, perhaps" uses wordplay. "Corruption" suggests decay or damage, and "below deck" implies something on a ship, likely wooden. WOODROT is the natural decay of wood caused by fungi, which can occur in the damp, enclosed spaces below a ship's deck.

The answer "ARO" refers to "aromantic," a queer identity for individuals who experience little to no romantic attraction. Aromantic is often shortened to "aro." The clue uses "___-ace," as "aro" is frequently paired with "ace" (asexual) to describe overlapping queer identities.

The answer is FAIRISLESWEATER because Fair Isle is a Scottish island known for its traditional, colorful patterned knitting. These sweaters feature intricate multi-color designs, making them both "colorful" and tied to "Scottish origins," perfectly fitting the clue's description.

ARMAGEDDON CHESS is a chess variant used to break ties, making it the perfect last-resort tiebreaker in chess tournaments. In this format, White gets extra time but must win, while Black can draw to claim victory. It aptly fits the clue as it directly describes this decisive gameplay method.

The clue "Fumes" suggests anger or seething agitation, as in "to stew over something." Additionally, it hints at simmering, as stews are dishes that emit fumes while cooking. This wordplay connects emotional fuming with literal fumes, making STEWS the apt solution.

The clue "Are, in Spanish" includes a foreign language indicator ("in Spanish"), signaling the answer is in Spanish. "Are" in English translates to "son" in Spanish, which is the third person plural form of the verb "ser," meaning "to be." Thus, the answer is SON.

The clue "Couldn't not" implies an obligation or an unavoidable action. If you "couldn't not" do something, it means you had to do it due to necessity or lack of choice. "HADTO" perfectly captures this compulsion, making it the answer.