NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The answer is HAVANA because Gloria Estefan, the famous Cuban-American singer, was born in Havana, Cuba. This clue directly refers to her birthplace, making HAVANA the correct solution. It’s a straightforward geography-based clue without any wordplay involved.

The answer "UPDO" fits because it describes a hairstyle where hair is styled upward, often pinned or tied. Updos are versatile, working for both casual settings (e.g., a messy bun) and formal occasions (e.g., intricate styles for weddings or events).

An EMIR is a title of nobility, similar to a sultan, used for rulers or high-ranking officials in Islamic cultures. Both terms denote authority and leadership, making "Relative of a sultan" a fitting clue for EMIR. The connection reflects their shared status in hierarchical governance structures.

The answer is SCAB because a "scab" is a term used for someone who works despite an ongoing strike, thereby "breaking" the strike. It fits the clue's description of a "strikebreaking sort," which refers to individuals undermining union efforts.

The clue "One who gives a good talking-to?" includes a playful tone due to the question mark, hinting at wordplay. An "orator" is someone skilled in public speaking or delivering speeches. They "give a good talking-to" in the sense of delivering impactful speeches, making ORATOR the fitting answer.

In tidal terms, "spring" tides are extreme, with the greatest range between high and low tides. The opposite is a "neap" tide, where the difference between high and low tides is minimal. The clue uses "tidally" to indicate this scientific concept, making NEAP the correct answer.

The answer "BANE" fits because its definition aligns perfectly with "Constant nuisance." A bane is something that consistently causes trouble, distress, or annoyance—a persistent source of misery or frustration, making it a precise match for the clue.

The clue "Mansión, por ejemplo" translates to "Mansion, for example" in Spanish, signaling the answer is also in Spanish. "Casa" means "house" in Spanish, which includes a mansion as an example of a house. Hence, the answer is CASA.

The clue uses wordplay centered on currency and names. "As the British pound rises in value" hints at upward movement, while "the dollar ___" completes with "Bill Withers." This is a pun: a "bill" is U.S. currency, and Bill Withers is a famous singer-songwriter, cleverly tying the two ideas together.

The answer "SLAMDUNKS" fits the clue "Sure things" because a slam dunk in basketball is a high-percentage, almost guaranteed score—used metaphorically to describe something certain or easily accomplished. This clue uses wordplay, associating the sports term with the broader idea of "guarantees."

The "nave" is the central part of a church where the congregation sits, typically containing rows of pews. This aligns perfectly with the clue, "Area with pews," as pews are seating structures often found in this part of a church.

The answer "SHAVE" fits because shaving is a common part of many people’s morning routine, especially for those who prefer to start their day clean-shaven. The clue refers to activities typically done to prepare for the day, and shaving is a widely recognized example.

The answer "GEAR" fits the clue "Equipment" because "gear" is a synonym for tools, apparatus, or supplies used for specific tasks or activities. It's a straightforward, direct relationship where "gear" commonly describes various types of equipment in daily usage or specialized fields.

In an orchestra, the "pit" refers to the area below the stage, often where musicians perform in musical theater or opera. Oboes are woodwind instruments typically seated centrally in the orchestra, fitting the description "section toward the middle of the pit."

This entry is the first half of a split phrase. The clue “With 76-Down, individually” tells you to pair this chunk with the down answer to read a common two-word idiom meaning “one by one.”

The clue "Fury" refers to intense anger or rage. IRE is a synonym for anger, often used in literary or formal contexts, making it a fitting match. It’s a concise word, aligning well with the typical brevity of crossword puzzle answers.

The clue uses a pun: "Tony Orlando," a famous singer, sounds like "tony orlando," where "tony" means stylish or upscale, and "Orlando" references the Florida city, home to Epcot. Thus, the phrase fits as an upscale ("tony") bistro after a day at Epcot in Orlando.

The BASSHORN is the ancestor of the tuba and sousaphone because it is an early low-pitched brass instrument used in the 18th and 19th centuries. It predates the modern tuba and served a similar role in brass ensembles before advancements in design and sound led to newer instruments.

The answer "RAG" fits the clue "Low-quality paper?" due to its double meaning. A "rag" is slang for a poorly produced or disreputable newspaper, aligning with "low-quality paper," and it also hints at the playful wordplay element the question mark suggests.

AWOL stands for "Absent Without Leave," a military term for unauthorized absence. Beetle Bailey, a comic strip character and a soldier, is known for shirking duties and mischief. "Naughty" hints at disobedience, and "in brief" signals the acronym form, making AWOL the fitting answer.

The word "Overdone" in the clue refers to something excessively repeated or lacking originality. "TRITE" describes something clichéd, stale, or overused to the point of losing impact, making it a perfect match as the solution for this clue.

The abbreviation Q.E.D. stands for the Latin phrase "quod erat demonstrandum," meaning "which was to be demonstrated." The "E" in Q.E.D. represents "erat," which translates to "was" in Latin. Thus, ERAT fits as the answer to the clue.

The term "Depleted" refers to being exhausted, consumed, or no longer available. "USEDUP" directly captures this meaning, as it describes something that has been fully utilized or emptied, leaving nothing remaining, perfectly matching the clue's context.

The answer is EST because the suffix "est" is used in English to form superlatives (e.g., "fastest," "strongest"). The clue is facetious, playing on the idea that "most" already implies a superlative, humorously pairing it with its own superlative suffix for exaggeration.

James Joyce’s Ulysses pairs with Ulysses S. Grant, U.S. president and Civil War general. The joke comes from imagining Joyce “writing courtesy of a Grant”—that is, funding. The pun is layered: it references the novel, the man, and the financial “grant,” perfectly capturing the puzzle’s premise of names doubling as wordplay.

The answer "NOPE" fits because it is a blunt, informal way to say "no," directly expressing a negative response. The brevity and casual tone align with the clue’s description of a "blunt negative." It’s straightforward and dismissive, matching the tone implied by the clue.

The answer "LAOTSE" refers to Laozi (or Lao Tse), the ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism. The quote aligns with Taoist principles of inner peace and non-aggression, emphasizing control over emotions. This philosophical teaching reflects Laozi's core ideas in the Tao Te Ching.

The clue "Have a bawl" refers to crying loudly and intensely, as "bawl" is another term for such an expression. The answer "SOB" fits perfectly, as it describes the act of audibly weeping or crying hard, aligning with the emotional intensity implied by the clue.

AUGIE is the son of Doggie Daddy, characters from Hanna-Barbera's animated TV series The Quick Draw McGraw Show. Doggie Daddy is a protective bulldog father, and Augie Doggie is his clever, enthusiastic son, often appearing together in comedic, father-son scenarios within the show.

The clue includes "maybe," suggesting a situational reason. ANTS is the solution because ants are commonly attracted to food at picnics. Their invasion would force someone to move their picnic blanket to avoid them, fitting the context of relocating due to this pesky reason.

Borneo and Sumatra are two of the largest islands in Southeast Asia, both part of the Malay Archipelago. They are geographically close neighbors, with Borneo to the northeast of Sumatra. This geographical proximity makes SUMATRA the fitting answer to the clue "Borneo neighbor."

The term "COW" refers to the adult female of large mammals like moose, elephants, and many others in zoological terms. This aligns with the clue, as it specifies a female moose or elephant. This biological classification makes COW the correct answer.

The answer "ERNS" refers to a variant spelling of "ernes," which are sea eagles, specifically white-tailed eagles. These birds of prey are known for consuming fish, aligning with the clue "Fish-eating raptors." Raptors are birds of prey, and ERNS suits this definition perfectly.

The clue "Dab with a towel" suggests a light, pressing motion to absorb moisture, not a wiping action. The word "BLOT" perfectly describes this gentle action of soaking up water or liquid with a towel, aligning directly with the definition of "dab" in this context.

The answer "TWPS" stands for "townships," which are subdivisions of some counties, particularly in the U.S. The abbreviation matches the "Abbr." in the clue, signaling the shortened form. Townships are smaller administrative units within certain counties, making "TWPS" an accurate solution.

The clue uses a pun with "MARK" as in pricing sandwiches and "CUBAN," which refers to both a type of ham sandwich (Cuban sandwich) and the famous entrepreneur Mark Cuban. Together, "MARK CUBAN" cleverly fits the wordplay in the context of raising sandwich prices.

The clue "Begged" directly corresponds to the past tense action of pleading, which means to earnestly ask or appeal for something. "Pled" is an alternative past tense form of "plead," making it a concise and accurate match for the clue.

The answer SEAR fits the clue "Scorch the surface" because "sear" means to burn or char the surface of something, typically with intense heat. This aligns perfectly with the idea of scorching or singeing the outer layer, making it a direct and apt solution.

The answer "COCA" refers to the coca plant, native to the Andes region. Its leaves have been traditionally used as a natural stimulant by Andean people for centuries, helping with energy and altitude adaptation. This directly ties to the clue's reference to an "Andean stimulant."

The answer "SNL" refers to Saturday Night Live, the iconic sketch comedy show where "The Blues Brothers" and "Coneheads" originated as popular sketches. These characters were later adapted into films. The clue specifies "in brief," prompting the well-known abbreviation, SNL.

The answer is YALEMAN because both Gerald Ford and William Howard Taft were alumni of Yale University. "Yale man" is a term traditionally used to describe male graduates or students of Yale. The clue references their association with the institution.

The answer is TRIO because Peter, Paul, and Mary were a famous folk music group consisting of three members. The word "trio" directly refers to a group of three individuals, aligning perfectly with the clue.

The solution "OUTTO" fits because the phrases "out to sea" and "out to lunch" are common expressions. "Out to sea" refers to being away on the water, and "out to lunch" can mean either literally away eating or figuratively being distracted or unaware, matching the clue.

The clue "Summer mo." refers to a summer month, abbreviated (indicated by "mo."). August, abbreviated as "AUG," is one of the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere, fitting perfectly as the answer.

The answer is TAROTS because tarot cards are "decks" used for "reading," specifically for fortune-telling or gaining insights into the future. The term "decks" cleverly refers to the physical set of tarot cards, aligning with the clue's double meaning.

The clue "Biblical preposition" points to language often found in the Bible. "UNTO" is an archaic preposition frequently used in older translations of the Bible (e.g., "Come unto me"). It means "to" or "toward." Its frequent Biblical usage makes it a fitting answer.

The clue links Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with Berlin, Germany’s capital. Mash them together and you get IRVING BERLIN, the American composer. The theme is clear: a geographic and literary setup transforms into a famous name, with the humor resting on the absurdity of linking Tarrytown and Berlin this way.

The answer is NEW because "new" is a key word in advertising, used to attract attention and highlight fresh products, ideas, or updates. It’s impactful, concise, and persuasive, making it an essential term in marketing strategies. It’s figuratively "big" in importance and appeal.

The clue "Toady" refers to someone who flatters, obeys, or ingratiates themselves to others, especially to gain favor. "Yes man" fits perfectly as it describes a person who always agrees with someone in authority, often obsequiously, much like a toady.

The clue "Buzz, so to speak" uses wordplay with "so to speak" indicating a figurative or alternative meaning of "buzz." A "buzz" can refer to a phone call or communication, often expressed as "give me a buzz." Hence, CALL is the fitting answer.

The answer is EAMES because Charles and Ray Eames were renowned designers known for their innovative furniture, including the iconic Eames Chair. Their designs revolutionized modern furniture and are often associated with style and comfort. The clue references their legacy in naming this type of chair.

The answer "LEER" fits the clue "Unpleasant look" because a leer is a type of look or gaze that is often suggestive, creepy, or unpleasant, carrying negative connotations. It's a direct match to the definition provided in the clue.

The answer "BEE" fits because it refers to a social gathering where people come together for a specific activity, like a "spelling bee" or "quilting bee." These are collaborative events, and the word cleverly plays on the social nature of bees in hives.

The clue "Certain canines" refers to teeth, specifically the pointed canine teeth. "Eyeteeth" is a term for upper canines, located below the eyes. The wordplay involves a double meaning: "canines" as both dogs and specific teeth, making EYETEETH the correct answer.

This entry blends Santa Barbara, the California city, with Barbara Eden, star of “I Dream of Jeannie.” The clue plays on the phrase “heaven on Earth,” twisting it into a pun that makes the actress’s name emerge naturally. It’s classic “The Name Is the Game” wordplay: a place and a person’s name meshed for a groaner of an aha.

The answer "SNO" completes the term "SNO-cone," which is a popular frozen treat made from shaved ice and flavored syrup. The blank signifies the missing prefix, and "SNO" (short for "snow") accurately describes the icy texture of the dessert.

The clue "Stockpile" suggests a place where items are kept or accumulated. A STORE can both refer to a stock of goods kept for future use and a location where goods are stored. Thus, STORE perfectly fits as the solution.

The answer is ETHER because it was historically the first anesthetic used during surgery to induce unconsciousness. In 1842, Dr. Crawford Long administered ether to a patient for pain-free surgery, marking a significant medical breakthrough. Its anesthetic properties make "ETHER" the fitting answer to this clue.

The answer is STET because "stet" is a proofreading term used to indicate that something initially marked for change should actually "stay as is" or remain unchanged. The phrase "Fine as is, actually" directly reflects this meaning, making STET the fitting solution.

The answer is BANFF because Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, was established in 1885, making it the country's first national park. It is a well-known landmark, renowned for its natural beauty, and aligns directly with the clue's description about Canada’s first national park.

The answer "I LED" fits the clue "___ Three Lives" because it refers to the title "I Led Three Lives," an early 1950s TV drama based on the real-life story of counterspy Herbert Philbrick. The phrase matches the series title perfectly.

The shark-warning notes in Jaws (the iconic "DUN-dun" music) are a leitmotif— a recurring musical theme associated with a specific character, idea, or situation. Here, the music signals the presence of the shark, perfectly encapsulating the definition of "leitmotif."

Here the name ELLE FANNING comes from a pun on Elle magazine and actress Elle Fanning. The clue imagines a supermodel holding Elle “herself,” which becomes the celebrity’s full name. It’s meta, playful, and very on-theme—using a brand name and a star to create a self-referential celebrity pun.

The answer "LINE" fits because a fishing line is a crucial item stored in a tackle box. Tackle boxes hold fishing equipment, and the line is essential for connecting the rod, hook, and bait to catch fish, making it a fitting solution for this straightforward clue.

The clue "Home makeover, in brief" refers to a renovation, which is often abbreviated as "reno." This fits the concept of a home makeover. The "in brief" part of the clue signals an abbreviation, leading to the concise answer: RENO.

The clue "Election Day is one: Abbr." refers to the fact that U.S. Election Day always falls on a Tuesday. The abbreviation of "Tuesday" is TUES, making it the correct answer. The abbreviation (Abbr.) in the clue hints the answer will be a shortened form.

"Work on the score of" refers to writing or marking a musical score. "Score" here hints at sheet music, and "work on" suggests an action like annotating or writing. The term NOTATE means to write musical notation, making it the perfect fit for this clue.

The answer "ENOL" refers to a type of organic compound containing a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom that is double-bonded to another carbon atom (a C=C bond). It is a specific type of carbon compound frequently encountered in chemistry.

The phrase "Beat one's chest" is figurative here. It refers to boastful behavior, similar to how someone might symbolically puff up or exaggerate their accomplishments. "BRAG" fits perfectly as it means to boast or show off, aligning with this figurative idea.

The clue "Set of pull-ups?" includes a pun signaled by the question mark. Pull-ups are a physical exercise involving the arms, and "set" refers to the arms as a pair or group needed to perform the movement. Therefore, the answer is ARMS.

The clue "Very high" is a play on words. "Stoned" is a slang term for being intoxicated, often associated with cannabis use, which can make someone feel "very high." It's a figurative, informal interpretation of the phrase rather than its literal sense.