Pales in comparison - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "L.A.'s region" refers to the geographic location of Los Angeles. L.A. is in Southern California, commonly abbreviated as "SoCal." The term "SoCal" is widely used to describe this region, making it the correct answer for this straightforward clue.

The solution "KOALA" fits because koalas primarily eat eucalyptus leaves as their main diet. These marsupials are well-known for their reliance on eucalyptus trees for both food and habitat, making them the perfect answer to the clue "Eucalyptus eater."

The clue "Otherwise ..." suggests an alternative condition or scenario, often phrased as "if not" in English. For example, "Otherwise, we would fail" implies "If not, we would fail." Thus, IFNOT is the concise answer aligning with the meaning of "otherwise."

In this clue, "Serves you right!" ends with an exclamation mark indicating humor or irony. "HAHA" is a nonverbal reaction to someone getting what they deserve, often in a laughing or mocking context. The phrase mimics laughter, aligning perfectly with the playful tone.

The clue specifies "in Spanish," indicating the answer is in Spanish. "Te amo" is the Spanish phrase for "I love you," where "amo" is the first-person singular form of "amar," meaning "to love." Hence, AMO completes the phrase "Te ___."

The clue "Like some R's and oats" uses wordplay. Certain "R's" in cursive writing are "rolled," and "rolled oats" is a term for a specific type of processed oats. This pun ties both together, making ROLLED the fitting answer.

The phrase in the clue mimics a conversational expression, and "rudely" fits the blank as it describes being interrupted in a disrespectful or impolite manner. The wording implies the interruption was unpleasant, which aligns perfectly with the tone and meaning of "rudely."

The clue "Shortly" indicates something happening soon or in a very short time. "INASEC" is a casual, abbreviated way of saying "in a second," which aligns perfectly with the meaning of "shortly." It's shorthand for immediate timing.

The clue "And the like, for short" refers to the abbreviated way of saying "et cetera," which means "and the rest" or "and similar things." The phrase is commonly shortened to "ETC," making it the suitable answer for this clue.

The answer is TSAR because it refers to the title used by autocratic rulers of Russia before the 1917 revolution. Derived from "Caesar," it signifies supreme authority. "Of old" in the clue indicates a historical role, as tsars ruled Russia for centuries until the monarchy was abolished.

The clue refers to Audre Lorde, a renowned Black feminist writer and poet. She authored Sister Outsider, a seminal collection of essays and speeches exploring race, gender, and social justice. "Lorde" is a direct reference to her last name, making AUDRE the correct answer.

The phrase "Partner of soup" refers to a common meal pairing. Soup is often served with salad as a complementary dish in restaurants, cafes, or at home, making SALAD the logical answer. The two are often associated together as a classic light meal combination.

The Beyoncé song "6 Inch" refers to high heels, as the title signifies the height of stiletto heels. The imagery aligns with themes of empowerment and confidence in the song, making "HEELS" the fitting answer to this clue.

The answer "THECUT" is correct because it is an online publication owned by Vox Media. "The Cut" focuses on fashion, culture, politics, and lifestyle topics, fitting the clue perfectly as a digital platform within the Vox Media portfolio.

The clue "Tres o cuatro" is in Spanish, so the answer is also in Spanish. "Tres o cuatro" translates to "three or four," which are numbers. The Spanish word for "number" is "número," matching the answer, NUMERO.

The clue ends uses wordplay. "Have I Got News for You" suggests a news channel, and CNN (Cable News Network) is a well-known global news channel. The word "channel" further supports that CNN is the logical answer.

The answer "BAN" fits the clue "Prohibit" because both words share the same meaning: to officially or formally forbid something. This straightforward clue doesn't involve wordplay, so the direct synonym "BAN" is the perfect match for "Prohibit."

ARES is the correct answer because, in Greek mythology, Ares is the god of war, known for his aggressive nature and representation of conflict and battle. The clue directly refers to this mythological figure, making ARES the appropriate solution.

The clue "Chances at awards, informally" refers to nominations for awards. "NOMS" is an informal shorthand for "nominations," which represent someone's chance to win an award. The use of "informally" in the clue signals the abbreviation or casual tone of the answer.

The clue "Like this: ESMCLDRBA" suggests wordplay, as the jumbled sequence "ESMCLDRBA" is not a recognizable word. When unscrambled, it forms the word "SCRAMBLED," describing both the state of "ESMCLDRBA" and the process needed to solve it. Thus, the answer is SCRAMBLED.

The clue "Has our broadcast started?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. "ARE WE LIVE" is a phrase often asked during a broadcast to confirm if it’s on air. Here, it fits the clue’s theme as a direct, pun-like question about a live broadcast's status.

The answer TAXEXILES fits because it refers to individuals who relocate to another country to avoid high taxes in their home country. "Exiles" suggests living away from one’s origin, and "tax" explains the financial motivation, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.

The clue uses wordplay with "trick coins" and "marked decks," items associated with magic tricks. A "MAGIC SHOP" is a business specializing in selling such props for magicians, making it the perfect fit for the clue's description. The question mark hints at the playful interpretation.

The answer is ANITAHILL because Kerry Washington portrayed Anita Hill, a law professor, in the 2016 HBO film Confirmation. The film focuses on Hill's 1991 Senate testimony about sexual harassment allegations against Clarence Thomas during his Supreme Court confirmation, making her a key historical figure and the correct solution.

The answer "LASTNAMES" makes sense because telephone books traditionally list individuals and businesses alphabetically by their surnames (last names). This system facilitates easy lookup for contact information, as it organizes entries systematically by the final (family) name.

The answer is BRAN because "Raisin Bran" is a well-known breakfast cereal combining raisins and bran flakes. The blank invites you to complete the common phrase, making BRAN the logical solution. This is a straightforward fill-in-the-blank clue.

The answer is FILA because it is a well-known global sneaker brand. Founded in Italy in 1911, FILA specializes in athletic footwear and apparel. The clue directly asks for a "Sneaker brand," and FILA fits perfectly as a recognized name in this category.

The answer is SPAM because a significant portion of phone calls today consists of unwanted or unsolicited communications, often telemarketing or scam calls, commonly referred to as "spam" calls. The clue's tone ("dispiritingly large") emphasizes their overwhelming and unwelcome nature.

The clue "No worries" is enclosed in quotes, indicating it's a spoken phrase. "That's OK" is a common expression used to reassure someone or convey that something is acceptable, aligning perfectly with the casual, comforting tone of "No worries."

The clue "He or I, but not she" is wordplay. "He" (Helium) and "I" (Iodine) are symbols for chemical elements on the periodic table, whereas "she" is not. The wordplay points to "ELEMENT" as the correct answer.

"DIG" is slang for "like" or "enjoy," making it an informal equivalent. For example, saying "I really dig this song" means "I really like this song." The clue hints at a casual, conversational usage, fitting perfectly with the answer "DIG."

The answer "PIE" fits because pies are desserts often enclosed in a shell-like crust. The "shell" refers to the pastry crust that holds the filling, making this a literal interpretation of the clue. Common examples are apple pie or pecan pie, which feature this characteristic.

The clue "Casual conversation" defines an informal exchange of words, which perfectly describes "CHAT." This term is commonly used to refer to light, relaxed talking, aligning directly with the clue's definition. No wordplay or additional elements are present, making CHAT the clear answer.

In the human eye, cones and rods are types of photoreceptor cells that detect light. Cones are responsible for color vision and function best in bright light, while rods are sensitive to dim light and aid in black-and-white vision. Thus, rods are cones' counterparts.

The answer is HUN because Attila was famously known as "Attila the Hun," the ruler of the Huns, a nomadic people. "Follower of Attila" refers to his identity as a Hun. This clue plays on historical knowledge rather than wordplay or puns.

"ACE" is the term used in tennis when a player serves the ball so skillfully and powerfully that it is not touched by the opponent, resulting in an immediate point. This perfectly aligns with "Great serve," as it represents an excellent and unbeatable serve in the game.

The clue "Opposite of bien" includes a Spanish word, signaling the answer is also in Spanish. "Bien" means "good" or "well" in Spanish, and its opposite is "mal," which means "bad" or "poorly." Therefore, MAL is the correct answer.