The New York Times Crossword, a staple of daily routines for many, is a challenge filled with interesting trivia that can help improve mental flexibility. While the NYT puzzle can feel like an insurmountable task some days, remember that solving it is a skill honed through practice. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t complete it all at once.
If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle, we’re here to lend a hand. Here are the answers to the clues:
Across
1. Necessary skill for an E.M.T. – CPR
4. T-shirt specification – SIZE
8. ___ song (final act) – SWAN
12. Lode load – ORE
13. Invader of Gaul in 451 – ATTILA
15. Athlete declared a national treasure by Brazil after the 1958 World Cup – PELE
16. Parking area – LOT
17. Sloppily making out, in slang – SUCKINGFACE
19. Mild Dutch cheese – GOUDA
21. “___ la vista, baby!” – HASTA
22. Curtain hanger’s need – ROD
23. Steep-roofed house – AFRAME
25. Pioneering computer game originally called Micropolis – SIMCITY
27. Piece of jewelry consisting of a single line of diamonds – TENNISBRACELET
30. Newsroom V.I.P.s – EDS
31. The Dolphins, on scoreboards – MIA
32. “Is ___ children learning?” (Bushism) – OUR
33. Card game whose winning hands can be found hidden in 17-, 27-, 42- and 54-Across – TWENTYONE
37. “___ real question is …” – THE
38. Ingredient in vinaigrette – OIL
39. “So cool!” – RAD
42. Wildflower with a royal name – QUEENANNESLACE
47. Paying attention – TUNEDIN
48. Vanilla/chocolate ice cream combos, e.g. – SWIRLS
49. Affirmative vote – YEA
50. Provide, as with an ability – ENDUE
53. Colludes with, as a criminal – ABETS
54. Sleek leather outerwear – RACERJACKET
57. “Huh!” – GEE
58. Those, in Spanish – ESAS
59. Bowling venues – ALLEYS
60. Part of an African elephant shaped like Africa – EAR
61. Match up, as two devices – SYNC
62. Life of Riley – EASE
63. Actor who was cast in “Rocky III” after winning an “America’s Toughest Bouncer” competition – MRT
Down
1. University that shares its name with an oral hygiene brand – COLGATE
2. Did some checking for errors – PROOFREAD
3. Taxing tasks? – RETURNS
4. Apt name for a worrier – STU
5. Strong desire – ITCH
6. Mosquito-borne virus in 2016 news – ZIKE
7. Michigan congresswoman Slotkin – ELISA
8. Spec on some moisturizers – SPF
9. More exhausted – WEARIER
10. “Little Women” author – ALCOTT
11. Constantly seeking validation, say – NEEDY
13. “Same here” – ASAMI
14. Stunt – ANTIC
18. “Let’s do this thing!” – GAMEON
20. Actor Aykroyd – DAN
24. Salinger title heroine – ESME
26. Fingerprint or footprint, perhaps – CLUE
28. Overhead compartment on an airplane – BIN
29. Betray by blabbing – RATON
33. Rap’s Megan ___ Stallion – THEE
34. Gardener’s device – WEEDER
35. Yang’s counterpart – YIN
36. Cries at some football games – OLES
37. Tin in a cat owner’s pantry – TUNACAN
39. One-in-a-million find – RAREGEM
40. Common knee injury for athletes – ACLTEAR
41. You might leave room for it – DESSERT
42. Seasick, say – QUESSY
43. One who historically didn’t wear a – ANDALE
45. Thwacks – SWATS
46. Ad-___ (go off-script) – LIB
47. Wheels on a lorry – TYRES
51. It had more freshman applicants in 2023 than any other U.S. university (145,910) – UCLA
52. Squeaks (by) – EKES
55. Key used to exit – ESC
56. “Good ___!” (compliment to a hitter) – EYE
