Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 14 March 2024, Thursday (03-14-24). Find all answers and solutions here.
We've also tries to explain why the answer is the correct solution for each clue.
We're not affiliated with New York Times in any way.
Clues and answers
Clues followed by answers and an explanation underneath.
1979 movie with the line “This is Ripley, last survivor of the Nostromo, signing off” : ALIEN
"ALIEN" is the right solution because it is a 1979 movie featuring the character Ripley as the last survivor of the spaceship Nostromo, who delivers that line at the end of the film.
A majority of the characters on TV’s “St. Elsewhere,” in brief : DRS
The answer "DRS" stands for "doctors," which are a majority of the characters on TV's "St. Elsewhere."
Actor Hawke : ETHAN
Ethan Hawke is a well-known actor in Hollywood, making "ETHAN" the correct answer for the clue "Actor Hawke."
Actress Shawkat of “Search Party” : ALIA
Alia Shawkat is an actress known for her role in the show "Search Party," so "ALIA" fits the clue.
An irrational reason to celebrate? : PI DAY
The answer "PI DAY" is the right solution because Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14), which is a reference to the mathematical constant pi (π) whose approximate value is 3.14. Pi Day is considered an irrational reason to celebrate because it is based on an irrational number (pi) and is not a traditional holiday.
Apply, as sunscreen : RUB ON
"Rub on" is the right solution because when applying sunscreen, you typically rub it onto your skin to ensure even coverage and protection.
B-ball : HOOPS
The term "B-ball" is a common abbreviation for basketball, which is played with hoops. Therefore, the answer "HOOPS" fits the clue.
Big movie star, e.g. : A-LISTER
The term "A-lister" is commonly used to refer to a big movie star or a celebrity at the top of their field. It signifies someone who is highly regarded and sought after in the entertainment industry.
Captcha targets : SPAMBOTS
The answer "SPAMBOTS" fits because captchas are used to block automated programs, or bots, that send spam, making "SPAMBOTS" the correct answer.
Carolina N.H.L.’ers, informally : CANES
The Carolina Hurricanes, an N.H.L. team, are informally referred to as the "Canes."
Celebratory seasons : NOELS
The answer "NOELS" refers to Christmas carols, which are often sung during celebratory seasons like Christmas.
Co. that launched the world’s first communications satellite : RCA
RCA stands for Radio Corporation of America, which launched the world's first communications satellite, named Telstar, in 1962.
Colorful language? : PURPLE PROSE
"Purple prose" is a term used to describe writing that is overly ornate or flowery. In this context, "colorful" refers to vivid or extravagant language, making "PURPLE PROSE" the fitting answer.
Comedian and political commentator Bill : MAHER
The answer is "MAHER" because Bill Maher is a well-known comedian and political commentator.
Component in a car’s suspension system : SWAY BAR
The sway bar, also known as a stabilizer bar, helps reduce body roll and improve stability in a car's suspension system. It connects the left and right wheels together through the chassis, keeping the car level when turning.
First digit of this puzzle’s subject, whose next four digits are the number of rows and then columns of the grid : THREE
The first digit of the puzzle's subject is "3", and the next four digits represent the number of rows and columns of the grid. So, the answer "THREE" fits the clue by indicating the first digit and hinting at the following numbers.
Fungus-to-be : SPORE
The answer "SPORE" fits because a spore is a reproductive cell of a fungus that can develop into a new organism.
Geocaching necessity, in brief : GPS
The answer "GPS" is correct because it is a common abbreviation for Global Positioning System, which is essential for geocaching to locate hidden containers using satellite technology.
Goes around : ROAMS
The answer "BYPASSES" fits the clue "Goes around" because it means to go around or avoid something, which aligns with the given clue.
Gun lobby grp. : NRA
The answer "NRA" is the right solution because the National Rifle Association (NRA) is a prominent gun lobby group in the United States.
Headstone heading : RIP
The answer "RIP" stands for "Rest in Peace," a common phrase found on headstones to honor the deceased.
Home of the Braves, for short : ATL
The answer "ATL" is the right solution because "ATL" is a common abbreviation for Atlanta, the city where the Braves baseball team is based.
It may be thrown by a vaquero : RIATA
The word "riata" refers to a lasso or a long rope used by a vaquero, a cowboy in Spanish-speaking regions. It is commonly thrown to catch or restrain livestock, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Last in a series : NTH
"NTH" is used to refer to an unspecified ordinal number in a series. Therefore, it can be used to represent the last item in a series without specifying the exact number.
Legal position in municipal govt. : ADA
The answer "ADA" stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a legal position in municipal government that ensures equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Like an obelisk at night, maybe : UPLIT
"UPLIT" means illuminated from below, which could make an obelisk appear bright at night when lights shine on it from the ground.
Like lead or gold, notably : DENSE
The answer "DENSE" is the right solution because lead and gold are both dense metals, meaning they have a high mass in relation to their volume.
Like the main character in many a horror film … or so they believe : ALONE
The main character in many horror films often believes they are alone, even if they are not, creating a sense of isolation and fear. "Alone" fits this description.
Make even : TIE
The answer "TIE" for "Make even" is correct because when you tie something, you are making it even or equal.
Mario Kart platform : WII
The answer is "WII" because "Mario Kart" is a popular game that was released on the Nintendo Wii platform.
Mathematician known for the constant “e” (2.71828) : EULER
The mathematician known for the constant "e" is Leonhard Euler, who made significant contributions to mathematics and is credited with introducing the symbol "e" for the base of the natural logarithm.
Neighbor of India : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." is short for abbreviation, and in this context, it refers to the country abbreviation for Nepal, which is a neighbor of India.
New Deal org. : WPA
The answer "WPA" stands for Works Progress Administration, which was a key organization during the New Deal era in the United States, tasked with creating jobs and infrastructure projects to combat the Great Depression.
One might center around being unprepared for a test : BAD DREAM
The answer "BAD DREAM" fits because a bad dream can center around the fear of being unprepared for a test, causing anxiety and stress. It is a common experience for many people.
Origin story in Genesis 11 : 1-9
The answer "1-9" refers to the passage in Genesis 11 that tells the story of the Tower of Babel, where people tried to build a tower to reach the heavens but were scattered and given different languages by God. The reference to "1-9" indicates the specific verses in Genesis 11 where this story can be found.
Pair on a schooner : MASTS
The answer "MASTS" fits the clue "Pair on a schooner" because a schooner typically has two masts.
Parks carefully : EASES IN
The answer "EASES IN" fits the clue "Parks carefully" because when someone eases in, they are parking their car slowly and cautiously. The phrase "eases in" implies a gentle and careful approach, which aligns with the idea of parking carefully.
Part of 10-Down : ALES
The answer "ALES" fits the clue because it is a type of drink that can be found in a pub or bar, which is typically what is referred to as part of "10-Down," which is often a list of drinks or menu items.
Purplish red : MAGENTA
MAGENTA is a purplish-red color commonly used in printing and art. It fits the description of being both purple and red, making it the right answer for "Purplish red."
Radar gun stat, for short : MPH
The abbreviation "MPH" stands for "miles per hour," which is a common unit of measurement for speed. Radar guns typically display the speed of an object in miles per hour, so "MPH" is the correct answer for this clue.
Relatives of berets : TAMS
"TAMS" are relatives of berets as they are both types of hats. They are similar in style but differ in shape and sometimes material.
Require : INSIST ON
The word "entail" means to involve or require as a necessary part or consequence. Therefore, it is a suitable solution for the clue "Require".
Scientist who notably passed away on 33-Down (2018) : STEPHEN HAWKING
Stephen Hawking is the scientist who notably passed away on March 14, 2018, which corresponds to 33-Down in the crossword puzzle.
Scientist who was notably born on 33-Down (1879) : ALBERT EINSTEIN
Albert Einstein was notably born on March 14, 1879, which corresponds to the date given in the clue "33-Down (1879)." Therefore, the answer to the clue is "ALBERT EINSTEIN."
Some craft drafts, for short : IPAS
The answer "IPAS" is short for India Pale Ales, which are a type of craft beer commonly served on draft.
Something read by a chiromancer : PALM
The term "chiromancer" refers to someone who practices palmistry, which is the art of reading palms. Therefore, the correct answer is "PALM" as it is something that is read by a chiromancer.
Starting point for a slippery slope argument : GRAY AREA
This answer fits because a gray area is a concept that is unclear or open to interpretation, making it a suitable starting point for a slippery slope argument where one action could lead to a series of negative consequences.
System that ended in 1917 : TSARISM
The system that ended in 1917 in Russia was Tsarism, which referred to the rule of the Tsars or Emperors. This system was overthrown during the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Took a turn : WENT
The answer "WENT" fits the clue "Took a turn" because it means to change direction or move in a different way, which aligns with the idea of taking a turn.
Tuber that can be candied : YAM
The answer "YAM" fits the clue because yams are tubers that can be candied, often used in dishes like candied yams during the holidays.
Weeks in Spain : SEMANAS Down 1 Player at Citi Field
The answer "Player at Citi Field" is SEMANAS because "Weeks in Spain" translates to "SEMANAS" in Spanish.
What professional tennis has been in since 1968 : OPEN ERA
The term "Open Era" in tennis refers to the period starting in 1968 when professional players were allowed to compete in Grand Slam tournaments alongside amateurs. This marked a significant change in the sport, making "OPEN ERA" the correct answer to the clue.
What some thank God for : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." stands for abbreviation, and in this context, it refers to "blessings" being abbreviated as something to thank God for.
Where an important call may be directed : LINE ONE
The answer "LINE ONE" is the right solution because an important call is often directed to the first line on a phone system.
Where the Chair of St. Peter can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica : APSE
The Chair of St. Peter is located in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica. The apse is a semicircular recess at the end of the church where the altar is usually placed, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Who said “Courage is knowing what not to fear” : PLATO
Plato is the right answer because he was a Greek philosopher known for his wise and insightful quotes, making it likely that he would have said "Courage is knowing what not to fear."
World capital noted for its French colonial architecture : HANOI
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is known for its beautiful French colonial architecture, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
You might go on tiptoe while wearing this : TUTU
TUTU is a ballet costume that is worn while dancing on tiptoe.
___ Major : URSA
"Ursa Major" is the Latin name for the constellation commonly known as the Big Dipper. "Ursa" means "bear" in Latin, and the constellation is named after the Great Bear in Greek mythology.
“Get it?” : SEE?
"Get it?" is a question that is commonly used to check if someone understands something. "See" is a word that means to understand, so it is a fitting answer to the clue.
“Gotcha!” : OHO!
"ISEE" can be interpreted as a colloquialism for "I see," which is often used to indicate understanding or acknowledgement of a statement. "Gotcha" is also a colloquialism used to indicate understanding or acknowledgement of a situation or statement. Therefore, "ISEE" is an appropriate answer to the clue ""Gotcha"."
“Hurry with your dinner!” : EAT UP!
"EAT UP!" is the right solution because it is a common phrase used to encourage someone to finish their meal quickly.
“No ___” (“Unacceptable”) : BUENO
unknown
“Same here” : SO AM I
“That feels nice!” : AAH!
The answer "AAH!" is the sound people often make when they experience relief or pleasure, which fits the clue "That feels nice!"