The New York Times has plenty of word games on its roster today — with Wordle, Connections, Strands, and the Mini Crossword, there’s something for everyone — but the newspaper’s standard crossword puzzle still reigns supreme. The daily crossword is full of interesting trivia, helps improve mental flexibility and, of course, gives you some bragging rights if you manage to finish it every day. While the NYT puzzle might feel like an impossible task some days, solving a crossword is a skill and it takes practice — don’t get discouraged if you can’t get every single word in a puzzle. If you’re having trouble completing today’s NYT Crossword, we’re here to help. We’ve got all the answers for today’s clues down below.
This Friday puzzle, constructed by Colin Adams, marks his fourth appearance in The New York Times puzzles, making it his third Friday grid. This feat is impressive for any constructor, especially Adams, who debuted less than a year ago, with his first puzzle debuting on February 16, 2024. Each grid he has created exhibits significant variety, and anticipation builds as readers look forward to his next contribution.
Today’s puzzle includes standout entries, particularly 53-Across and 21-Down, which garnered positive remarks from the constructor himself. Adams noted, "I liked 53-Across and 21-Down as marquee entries." Despite the initial difficulty he faced when tackling the grid, he acknowledged, "Once I had filled in about a third of it, the rest came together fairly smoothly." The diversity of clues showcases both trivial and cultural knowledge, inviting solvers to think critically.
Some tricky clues from today’s puzzle include 16-Across: “Closings” referring to a religious service, leading to the answer AMEN. For 17-Across, the clue about cocktails presented the answer TOM COLLINS, described as, "Cocktail that's called a French 75 if you use Champagne instead of soda water." Another engaging entry is 37-Across, where "SAY CHEESE" is what someone might say before snapping a picture. Notably, for 53-Across, athletes on opposing teams engaging in mutual respect might participate in what’s called a JERSEY SWAP.
These types of challenges are what make the New York Times crossword so engaging. The term "press" used within 58-Across clues players to identify GYMS, referring to bench press rather than the media. Such misdirection teaches solvers to read clues with heightened attention, emphasizing both language and contextual awareness.
Whether you're tackling today’s crossword for fun or for the daily mental challenge, it's important to approach these puzzles as opportunities to grow and learn. With practice and familiarity, these once-daunting tasks can become much more manageable. Remember, everyone finds certain puzzles challenging, and persistence is key to improvement.
So, if you’re ready to give it another go, here are the solutions for the day’s clues:
1. 16-Across: AMEN
2. 17-Across: TOM COLLINS
3. 37-Across: SAY CHEESE
4. 53-Across: JERSEY SWAP
5. 58-Across: GYMS
Crossword puzzles provide stimulating entertainment and mental exercise, and today's offerings from The New York Times continue to support this rich tradition, enhancing our solving skills and knowledge along the way.