Mickey Mouse - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "XMEN" fits because the X-Men are a team of superheroes in Marvel Comics who are mutants, born with unique genetic abilities. The word "mutants" specifically refers to their key trait, making "XMEN" the precise group described by the clue.

The clue "Expert on cosmos?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Cosmos" cleverly refers to the popular cocktail, the Cosmopolitan. An expert on cocktails, including the "Cosmo," is a MIXOLOGIST, a professional skilled in mixing and crafting drinks.

The clue "Expert on the cosmos" points to someone specializing in studying celestial objects, space, and the universe. An ASTRONOMER is exactly such an expert, as they use scientific methods to explore and understand the cosmos, making it the perfect solution for this clue.

The clue "To be," in Tijuana includes the indicator "in Tijuana," signaling a Spanish answer. In Spanish, "ser" is one of the verbs meaning "to be," used for essential or permanent states. Tijuana, a city in Mexico, confirms the Spanish context, making the correct answer SER.

The clue "Goals for those in a rush, informally" is a playful pun. "Rush" refers to fraternity recruitment events, often called "rush." Aspiring members (goals for those rushing) aim to join fraternities (FRATS). The informal tone of the clue matches the slang term "FRATS."

The clue refers to Rory McIlroy, a renowned professional golfer from Northern Ireland, who has won multiple major championships and is widely celebrated in the sport. His first name, "Rory," fits perfectly as the four-letter answer to this clue about a "Golf great."

In tech terminology, "edge cases" refer to rare or extreme scenarios that occur at the outer boundaries of normal operation—unlikely but possible. The clue "Unlikely scenarios, in techspeak" directly describes this, making EDGECASES the fitting solution.

The word "Vacillated" refers to wavering, being indecisive, or swaying back and forth. "TEETERED" directly captures this idea as it describes something unsteady or oscillating, such as physically swaying or figuratively being uncertain, making it the perfect synonym and solution for the clue.

The clue "[WRONG!]" suggests a nonverbal reaction, often represented by sound. "BZZT" mimics the buzzer sound commonly used to indicate an incorrect answer in quiz shows or games. The brackets imply an expressive, imitated sound rather than a conventional word or phrase.

RAZE means to completely destroy or demolish, often used for leveling buildings or structures. In the context of “Level,” this functions as a play on words. While "level" can mean flat, it also means to knock something down, aligning with the meaning of RAZE.

The answer "BRAD" refers to a small fastener with two prongs, commonly used to hold paper together. The prongs are inserted through holes and spread apart on the other side to secure the material. Its two-pronged structure directly matches the clue description.

There seems to be a misunderstanding here, as "RANDRY" is not a standard word in the English language and does not fit the clue "Was used up." It’s possible there’s an error, or the clue or grid should be reexamined. Double-check for typos or crossing letters.

On the animated show American Dad!, Stan Smith, the protagonist, works as a covert operative for the Central Intelligence Agency, commonly shortened to CIA. The clue specifically asks for Stan's workplace "for short," pointing directly to the abbreviation CIA.

The clue "Places to go in the U.K." uses wordplay. "Places to go" is a pun referring to restrooms, and "loos" is a colloquial British term for toilets. Since the U.K. is specified, this British slang fits perfectly, aligning with the pun and the region.

The clue "Spur" and the answer "PROD" align because both words can mean to push, urge, or prompt someone into action. A spur is a device urging a horse forward, while to prod is to poke or encourage. They share the meaning of motivating or stimulating action.

SANSEI is a Japanese term meaning “third generation.” It specifically refers to the grandchildren of Japanese immigrants (the Issei) who settled abroad, particularly in the U.S. Thus, "Third-generation Japanese American" directly defines SANSEI.

The answer "SARI" fits the clue "Draped garment" because a sari is a traditional South Asian garment, primarily worn by women, that is draped around the body in various styles. It is both functional and elegant, perfectly matching the description of a draped piece of clothing.

The clue "Resting place" refers to a location where one can rest or sleep, often temporarily. A HOTEL fits this description as it is an establishment that provides accommodations for travelers and guests, offering a "resting place" away from home.

The answer "CONRAD" refers to Conrad Aiken, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet and writer. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1930 for his collection Selected Poems. The clue directly points to his last name, identifying him as a notable figure in poetry.

The clue "Later, dude!" is informal, conversational, and enclosed in quotes, signaling the answer is a spoken phrase. "Later" indicates a goodbye, and "dude!" reflects casual speech. "Adiós amigo" is a Spanish phrase translating to "Goodbye, friend!"—a perfect match for the tone and context.

The answer "PANOPTICON" refers to a circular prison design conceived by philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Its structure places a central watchtower within view of all prison cells, allowing one guard to observe all inmates simultaneously without them knowing whether they're being watched. This ensures constant surveillance.

The answer is ROYALFORK, as "royal" refers to the king and queen (the most important chess pieces), and "fork" is a tactic where a single piece, often a knight, attacks two or more pieces at once. Here, the king and queen are attacked simultaneously, hence "ROYALFORK."

The clue "Itches" refers to strong desires or cravings, not just physical sensations. "YENS" is a synonym for yearnings, which aligns with this figurative meaning of "itches." This play on words makes "YENS" the correct solution, as it describes a deep longing or urge.

The phrase "Personalize for" suggests customizing or adapting something to suit a specific person or purpose. "TAILOR TO" is a common phrase meaning to adjust or modify something specifically for someone's needs or preferences, making it an ideal fit for the clue.

The answer "CLONAL" refers to clones, which are genetically identical copies produced through asexual reproduction. In a strictly asexual lineage, offspring arise without genetic mixing, making them "clonal," or exact genetic replicas of the parent organism. This fits the context of the clue.

The clue "___ Nam" refers to the Southeast Asian country Vietnam. "Viet" is part of the name and a common shorthand used to represent the country or its people ("Vietnamese"). This straightforward fill connects to the country's full name, "Vietnam."

The clue refers to boxing. An uppercut is a punch aimed upward, typically targeting the opponent's chin. The chin is often the vulnerable spot where such a punch connects, making "CHIN" the fitting answer. It's literal and aligns with boxing terminology.

The answer is "WAYMO" because Waymo is the self-driving car division of Alphabet, Google’s parent company. Originally emerging as a Google project in 2009, it became its own entity in 2016 under the name "Waymo," signifying the phrase "a new way forward in mobility."

The answer "HEMS" fits "Closes (in)" because "hems" refers to folding and sewing the edge of fabric to finish or close it. The clue plays on the literal act of closing or enclosing fabric edges, providing a clever wordplay connection.

The answer is OLAY because it is a globally recognized brand in the skincare industry. Known for products like moisturizers, serums, and anti-aging creams, OLAY is undeniably a "big name" when it comes to skincare. This clue directly refers to its prominence in this category.

The clue "Some missed-exit maneuvers, informally" refers to informal driving moves when someone misses an exit. "UEYS" (phonetic spelling of "U-turns") fits this perfectly, as a U-turn is a quick maneuver to reverse direction, often done after missing an exit.

The clue "Poli-___ (certain college major, for short)" refers to "Political Science," a common college major. "Sci" is a short form for "Science," completing the phrase "Poli-Sci," which is a widely recognized abbreviation for Political Science.

The clue "Smartphone predecessors, for short" points to devices that came before smartphones. PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) were handheld devices designed for tasks like calendars, contacts, and notes. Being "for short" hints at the abbreviation PDAs, matching the clue perfectly.

The clue "Second: Abbr." suggests an abbreviation for a role that could be considered a "second" or helper to someone. "ASST" is short for "assistant," a person who supports or serves as a secondary role, perfectly fitting the clue's intent.

The clue "Copy cats?" uses a pun. "Copy" can hint at mimicry, and "cats" suggests felines. A feline "copying" sound would be a meow. Simplified to "MEW" (a shorter form of meow), it fits the playful wordplay implied by the question mark.