Synthetic fabric once common in sweaters - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Kids these days" playfully refers to today's younger generation, often labeled Generation Z, or GEN Z. This demographic includes those born approximately from the mid-to-late 1990s to the early 2010s. The phrasing hints at this group, making GENZ the correct answer.

The answer "PLEA" fits because in legal terms, a defendant's declaration in court—such as "Not guilty"—is a type of plea. The clue uses "e.g." (for example) to indicate that "Not guilty" is one example of a plea.

The clue "You got that right, sister!" is in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "Amen" is often used in religious or colloquial contexts to express strong agreement, particularly in a supportive or emphatic manner like "That's right!"—in line with the exclamation in the clue.

FIR is the answer because it is a type of evergreen tree, meaning it remains green year-round. The clue "Certain evergreen" refers to specific evergreen trees, and FIR is a well-known example within that category, fitting the description perfectly.

In gymnastics, the "uneven bars" apparatus consists of two horizontal bars set at different heights. The clue "Like some bars in gymnastics" directly describes this equipment, where the bars are literally uneven, making UNEVEN the correct answer.

The clue "One who is barely seen?" uses wordplay with the phrase "barely seen," hinting at someone who is literally "bare" or unclothed. A NUDIST, who practices nudism, fits this playful and pun-like interpretation of the phrase.

The solution "GIBE" is correct because both "jeer" and "gibe" mean to mock, taunt, or scoff at someone. They are synonyms, which means they share the same meaning and can be used interchangeably in this context. This direct clue relies purely on vocabulary knowledge.

The clue "How was ___ know?" mimics spoken language, and the answer "ITO" completes the phrase as "How was I to know?"—a common spoken expression. Crossword clues in quotes often signal conversational phrases, and here, "I to" is phonetically shortened to "ITO" for the answer.

The answer "CODDLE" fits "Pamper" because it means to treat someone with excessive indulgence or care, just like pampering. Both words suggest offering comfort and attention, often in an overly protective or nurturing way. The synonymy in their meanings makes "CODDLE" the perfect fit.

The clue "Tour guide?" includes a question mark, indicating wordplay. Here, "Tour guide" is a playful way of referring to something that helps you navigate an area, such as an AREA MAP. An area map outlines locations, acting as a "guide" for exploring or touring a region.

The clue “Crash of thunder” refers to the loud, abrupt sound associated with a thunderstorm. The word "CLAP" describes a sharp, sudden noise, often used to describe a "clap of thunder," aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The answer "TOUT" fits because it means to promote or praise something energetically, often in an enthusiastic or public way. The term is frequently used to describe actively advertising or extolling the merits of a product, idea, or opportunity, perfectly matching the clue's intent.

The answer is INXS because "Need You Tonight" is a hit song by this Australian rock band. INXS gained global fame in the 1980s and 1990s, and this song, released in 1987, is one of their most iconic tracks, making the connection to the clue straightforward.

The clue uses wordplay. Speakeasies, during Prohibition, were often "raided" by authorities. Similarly, refrigerators can be "raided" when someone sneaks food or drinks. The clever double meaning ties the two contexts together, making "RAIDED" the perfect solution.

The answer is YETI because YETI is a popular brand of rugged coolers. It shares its name with the "Yeti," a mythical creature, also known as the "Abominable Snowman," from Himalayan folklore. The shared name connects the durable coolers to the legendary snowbound creature.

The clue “Opposite of tame” directly suggests a word that contrasts with being calm, subdued, or controlled. "Wild" is the ideal antonym, conveying untamed, unrestrained, or natural behavior, fitting perfectly as the opposite of "tame." The straightforward clue involves no wordplay or additional tricks.

The word "FUSE" means to combine or join elements into a single entity, perfectly matching the clue "Join into one." In a literal sense, objects or ideas can be fused together, blending into unity, aligning directly with the clue's meaning.

The answer is JETS because Jacuzzis are equipped with water jets that provide a massaging effect by pushing pressurized water into the tub. These jets are a defining feature of Jacuzzis, enhancing relaxation and hydrotherapy benefits. The clue directly references this key characteristic.

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team in the NBA. The clue “Where to find the Jazz” uses wordplay to reference their location, Utah, rather than a literal place to find jazz music.

The answer "SAGAS" fits because the word refers to long, detailed narratives, often epic or historical in nature. "Long-winded tales" is a direct description of what sagas are—extended stories that unfold over time, making this an apt and straightforward match.

The clue "Apply, as ointment" directly describes the action of spreading or applying something like ointment onto the skin. "Rub on" accurately conveys this action, as it’s a phrase commonly used to describe applying a substance, especially in a physical, rubbing motion.

The clue "City-related" directly points to something associated with a city or urban life. The term "urban" refers to areas characteristic of cities, contrasting with rural regions. It perfectly matches the clue, as "urban" is the adjective used to describe anything city-related.

The clue "Desertlike" directly describes something characteristic of a desert: dry or lacking moisture. The word "arid" is commonly used to describe environments or climates that are extremely dry, much like a desert. Hence, ARID is the correct answer.

The answer is YOLO, which stands for "You Only Live Once." It's a modern, carefree motto encouraging people to take risks and embrace life's opportunities, aligning with the "modern lingo" aspect of the clue. It reflects impulsive, live-in-the-moment behavior, fitting the clue perfectly.

The clue "Low-scoring deadlock" points to a tied game with a minimal score. "One-one" represents a 1–1 score in sports, which is both low-scoring and a deadlocked (tied) result. The repetition ("ONEONE") reflects how scores are commonly written or spoken in such situations.

The answer is "GERE" because Richard Gere starred as the male lead, Edward Lewis, in the iconic 1990 romantic comedy film Pretty Woman alongside Julia Roberts. His role in the movie is one of his most famous performances, making Gere synonymous with the film.

The clue "Hurdles for srs." refers to challenges faced by high school seniors ("srs."). The answer, "SATS," fits because the SAT exams are critical standardized tests that many seniors take as part of college admissions, often seen as a significant "hurdle" in their academic journey.

The clue "Sounded like a duck" directly refers to the sound a duck makes, which is a quack. Adding "ed" makes it past tense, aligning with "sounded." Therefore, the correct answer is QUACKED. It's a simple, direct clue with no wordplay or tricks involved.

The clue "Farm docs?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. Here, "docs" can mean doctors, and on a farm, veterinarians (VETS) take care of animals. Thus, "Farm docs" refers to VETS, who are doctors specializing in animal care, fitting both the wordplay and the context.

The answer is PLAIDS because tartan is a traditional Scottish fabric pattern made of crisscrossing horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. These patterns are commonly referred to as plaids, especially in North America, making PLAIDS the correct solution for "Tartan patterns."

The clue "Yeah, right" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "I'm sure" can be said sarcastically, with the same tone as "Yeah, right," implying doubt or disbelief. However, it also works as a straightforward affirmative phrase, matching the clue's dual interpretation. Thus, IMSURE fits perfectly.

The clue "Bean" is a playful or pun-filled reference to slang. "Bean" is informal for "head" or "brain," and "noggin" is another slang term that means the same thing. This wordplay connects "Bean" to "NOGGIN," making it the correct answer.

The answer "ACTS" fits because in the context of theater, actors "act" as part of their work. The clue plays on the dual meaning of "theater work," referring to both dramatic performance and "acts" within a play. It’s a straightforward connection to performing on stage.

The answer is SOUL because it commonly precedes "food," referring to traditional African-American cuisine (soul food), and "mate," as in soulmate, representing a deep, spiritual connection. This dual usage satisfies the clue's requirement for a word that fits both contexts.

The word "HONE" means to sharpen or refine something, particularly a skill or ability, through practice or effort. The clue "Refine, as a skill" directly aligns with this definition, as honing a skill involves improving or perfecting it over time.

The answer is MOAT because a moat is a traditional water-filled trench surrounding medieval castles. It served as a defensive barrier, making it difficult for enemies to approach or breach the castle walls. This aligns directly with “Castle defense” in the clue.

The answer is WOOD because whittling involves carving or shaping a material by cutting small slices from it, and wood is the most common and traditional material used for this craft. The clue directly points to the material a whittler works on, making WOOD the clear solution.

The clue "Facts" directly refers to knowledge or details about something. A common shorthand for "facts" or "information" is "INFO," making it the correct answer. It's a concise and synonymous term often used interchangeably with "facts" in everyday language.

The answer "MOTH" fits because moths and butterflies are both insects in the order Lepidoptera, making them close relatives. Though they differ in characteristics like activity (moths are typically nocturnal), their biological similarities make "MOTH" an accurate solution for "Relative of a butterfly."

The answer "DMS" stands for "Direct Messages," a common term for private online chats, especially on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. The clue specifies the answer is abbreviated ("for short"), matching the shortened "DMS." These private messages are typically used for one-on-one conversations.

The clue "Spicy" directly relates to the sensation or quality of something having heat or piquancy, often associated with strong flavors or spice. The word "HOT" captures this concept, as it can describe both physical heat and the spicy intensity of food or seasoning.