NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

LPGA stands for Ladies Professional Golf Association, established in 1950. It is the oldest continuously running women's professional sports organization in the U.S., aligning directly with the clue. The LPGA has maintained its legacy through professional golf tournaments and efforts to promote women's sports.

The clue "Sample sake, say" suggests wordplay. To sample sake (a Japanese rice wine), you might take a small taste or a SIP. The answer, SIP, fits because it means to take a small amount of a drink, aligning perfectly with the clue's pun.

The clue "___ salmon" refers to a well-known preparation of salmon. SMOKED salmon is a popular culinary item where the fish is cured and then smoked, giving it a distinctive flavor. The blank indicates the missing word, and "SMOKED" completes the phrase appropriately with culinary accuracy.

The clue "They're mined, all mined!" is a playful pun. "Mined" refers to materials extracted from the earth, and ORES are naturally occurring minerals or rocks from which metals and valuable substances are mined. The repetition "all mined!" humorously emphasizes the mining connection.

The clue "Kissing on a park bench, e.g., for short" refers to "Public Display of Affection," commonly abbreviated as PDA. The clue hints at a public romantic gesture like kissing in a visible space, such as a park bench, aligning perfectly with the abbreviation "PDA."

The clue "Fingers crossed!" ends with an exclamation point, hinting at an expression in spoken form. "Fingers crossed" conveys a hope or wish for a positive outcome, and the phrase "HOPE SO" matches this sentiment perfectly as a common spoken response expressing optimism or anticipation.

The phrase "Gives a thumbs-up" metaphorically suggests approval or agreement. In a voting context, giving a thumbs-up aligns with saying "yes" or approving a decision, hence "VOTES YES" fits perfectly as the solution to signify this act of agreement or endorsement.

The clue "Take to the sky" refers to the act of flying or operating an aircraft. "AVIATE" means to pilot or navigate an aircraft through the air, perfectly matching the definition. It directly aligns with the idea of soaring or moving through the sky.

The clue "Vex" suggests something that annoys or irritates. "EAT AT" is a phrase meaning to bother or gnaw at someone emotionally, often used to describe persistent annoyance or frustration. It fits the clue perfectly as a synonym for "vex."

The STAMEN is the male reproductive part of a flower, consisting of an anther and filament. The anther produces and releases pollen, making it directly responsible for pollination. Thus, "Pollen producer" accurately points to STAMEN as the solution.

SMH stands for "shaking my head," a common texting abbreviation used to express disbelief, disappointment, or incredulity. The clue is in quotes, signaling a spoken/texted phrase, and "I can't believe this" aligns perfectly with the reaction implied by SMH.

The clue "Made a scene?" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Scene" is associated with acting or performance. To "make a scene" can mean to create a dramatic display, much like acting. Thus, the answer "ACTED" fits both the literal and figurative interpretations of the clue.

The answer is TEACH because the quote reflects Socrates' teaching philosophy—he believed in guiding others to think critically rather than simply imparting knowledge. "Teach" perfectly suits the blank as it aligns with his method of provoking thought and self-discovery rather than direct instruction.

The answer is ELBA because Idris Elba is a well-known actor who starred in the Apple TV+ series Hijack. The clue directly references his name as the actor, making ELBA the correct solution.

The clue "Nope!" is in quotes, indicating a spoken response. "Uh-uh" is a common informal way to say "no" or "nope" in conversation. The double "UHUH" spelling reflects this phonetically, perfectly matching the clue's context and tone.

The clue "Middling mark" uses wordplay. "Mark" refers to a grade, and "middling" suggests an average grade. The letter "C," pronounced "CEE," represents an average or middling grade in many grading systems, making it the fitting answer here.

The phrase "ROPE IN" means to persuade or bring someone into a situation, often against their initial reluctance or hesitation. It aligns perfectly with the clue’s context of "recruiting successfully, as a reluctant participant," illustrating the action of drawing someone into involvement despite their resistance.

The answer "ROSEBUDS" fits the clue "Signs of spring" because rosebuds are the early, undeveloped blooms of roses, often appearing in spring as plants begin to grow and blossom after winter. They symbolize renewal and growth, aligning perfectly with the seasonal theme of spring.

The clue "At the moment" refers to something happening currently or as things stand right now. The phrase "AS OF NOW" directly matches this meaning, making it the correct solution. It's a commonly used expression to describe the present time or an update on the current situation.

The answer "CANAPES" fits because canapés are small, decorative finger foods often served as appetizers. They are frequently presented on toothpicks or small bases like bread or crackers, matching the description of "Finger foods served on a toothpick, maybe." The clue specifies "maybe," allowing for the association.

The clue "Taste the rainbow" candy directly references the well-known advertising slogan for SKITTLES. SKITTLES, a popular fruit-flavored candy, has long used the tagline "Taste the rainbow" in its marketing to highlight their colorful variety. Therefore, SKITTLES perfectly fits as the solution.

The clue "Perplex" directly relates to the definition of "BEMUSE," which means to confuse, bewilder, or puzzle someone. It's a straightforward synonym clue, where "perplex" and "bemuse" have similar meanings.

The answer is TAN because sunbathers typically aim to darken their skin through exposure to sunlight, resulting in a tan. This aligns with the clue, as the primary "goal" of many sunbathers is to achieve this skin tone change.

The answer is HALO because it is a highly popular first-person shooter video game franchise created by Bungie and now managed by 343 Industries. The franchise, set in a futuristic universe, prominently features the protagonist "Master Chief" and has become iconic in the gaming world.

The term "LEAN" is used to describe meat or food with very little fat, aligning with the clue "99% fat-free, say." The word "say" indicates a descriptive term, and LEAN fits as it commonly signifies low-fat content. This makes it the perfect match for the clue.

The answer "ARTIE" refers to Artie Shaw, a famous American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. Renowned during the Swing Era, Shaw was a major figure in jazz history, celebrated for hits like "Begin the Beguine." The clue directly references his legendary status in jazz.

The clue "Gave it a go" refers to the act of attempting or trying to do something. The past tense phrasing matches the past tense answer "TRIED," which means to have made an effort or attempted something, aligning perfectly with the clue.

The answer "CAM" is short for "camera," which is a common surveillance device. The clue uses "informally," indicating that the solution should be a casual or abbreviated term, perfectly fitting "CAM." Surveillance cameras are commonly referred to as "cams" in everyday language.

The clue "Followed the leader" implies submission or compliance with someone in charge. "OBEYED" fits perfectly, as it means to follow orders or adhere to the instructions of a leader or authority figure, aligning directly with the phrasing of the clue.

The clue "Plenty o'" uses casual language, with "o'" mimicking a spoken, informal way of saying "of." This indicates the answer is also informal and colloquial. LOTSA is a contraction of "lots of," fitting the casual tone and expressing "plenty" or "a large amount."

The clue describes a road sign indicating traffic direction. A "unidirectional arrow" on a road sign means traffic flows in only one direction. The answer "ONEWAY" directly corresponds to such a sign, commonly seen in streets designated for one-way traffic. This makes "ONEWAY" the correct solution.

The clue "Compliment on the green" refers to golf. On the green, players often receive praise for accurately putting the ball into the hole. "NICE PUTT" is a common phrase used to commend someone's good shot while putting, making it the perfect answer.

The Blenheim in England refers to Blenheim Palace, a historic and grand residence in Oxfordshire, England. The clue indicates "for one," signaling an example, and Blenheim is indeed a palace—fitting the definition and aligning perfectly with the answer, PALACE.

The clue "___ soon?" with the blank space implies a conversational or verbal context. The answer "TOO" fits as it's commonly used in responses like "Too soon?" to question if something was said or done prematurely, making it a fitting wordplay solution.

The answer is ERIE because it refers to Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes. The clue's "spooky-sounding" wordplay hints at “eerie,” which means strange or ghostly. The similarity in pronunciation ties the lake to the spooky theme, making ERIE the fitting answer.

The clue "Reeks" directly refers to something emitting a bad smell or being highly unpleasant, aligning with the definition of "stinks." Both words are synonymous, making STINKS an apt solution. The lack of wordplay or special indicators suggests a straightforward synonym-based answer.

The clue "Wowza!" is enclosed in quotes, indicating the answer is a spoken expression or exclamation. "Wowza!" conveys surprise or astonishment, and "OMG" (short for "Oh My God") is a commonly used interjection expressing the same feeling of amazement or shock, making it the perfect match.

The clue "Bears' lairs" refers to places where bears live or dwell. A common term for such places is "DENS," which are shelters or resting places for animals like bears. The plural "lairs" matches the answer's plural form "DENS," making it a perfect fit.