Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 23 June 2025, Monday (06-23-25). Find all answers and solutions here.
We've also tries to explain why the answer is the correct solution for each clue.
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Clues and answers
Clues followed by answers and an explanation underneath.
A Acknowledgment to a 31-Down operator : ROGER
The term "ROGER" is used in radio communication to mean "message received and understood." In this context, it serves as an acknowledgment to a 31-Down operator, indicating that the message has been received and understood.
A Ballet, beadwork or bonsai : ART
The answer "ART" fits because ballet, beadwork, and bonsai are all forms of artistic expression.
A Bra or purse part : STRAP
The answer "STRAP" fits the clue "A Bra or purse part" because both bras and purses commonly have straps that are used to carry or support them.
A Break down in tears : SOB
The answer "SOB" fits the clue "A break down in tears" because "sob" is a verb that means to cry noisily, which accurately describes a breakdown in tears.
A Button it! : DRESS SHIRT
The phrase "A Button it!" suggests that we are looking for an item of clothing that is typically buttoned up. A dress shirt fits this description as it is a type of shirt that is usually buttoned up the front.
A Can it! : DILL PICKLE
The phrase "A Can it!" sounds like "can it," which is a way of saying "be quiet." A dill pickle is a type of pickled cucumber that is often canned, making "DILL PICKLE" a fitting answer to the clue.
A Classic dog name : FIDO
"FIDO" is a classic dog name that has been popular for many years. It is a common name given to dogs in movies, TV shows, and literature, making it a well-known choice for a dog's name.
A Devious fellow : SLY DOG
The term "sly dog" is a colloquial expression used to describe someone who is cunning, crafty, or deceitful. It is often used in a playful or teasing manner to refer to someone who is clever in a mischievous way.
A Early web portal : AOL
"AOL" was a popular early web portal in the 1990s and early 2000s, offering email, news, and other services, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
A Final chapter : END
The word "END" can be synonymous with "final chapter," as it signifies the conclusion or termination of something, such as a book or a story.
A Fuzzy green stuff on some trees : MOSS
The answer "MOSS" fits the clue because moss is a type of fuzzy green plant that commonly grows on trees.
A Held back, as a news story : SAT ON
The phrase "sat on" is a commonly used term in journalism to describe holding back or delaying the release of a news story. It fits the clue "A Held back, as a news story" perfectly.
A Hollywood’s Driver or Sandler : ADAM
The answer "ADAM" fits the clue because both Hollywood figures mentioned, Driver and Sandler, have the first name "Adam."
A Insect in a nest : WASP
The answer "WASP" fits the clue "A insect in a nest" because wasps are insects that build nests to live in.
A iPod __ (old music provider) : NANO
The iPod Nano is an older model of the iPod that provided music, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
A Like some mobile purchases : IN APP
The answer "IN APP" fits the clue "A Like some mobile purchases" because in-app purchases are purchases made within a mobile application.
A Locale for a goatee : CHIN
The goatee is a type of beard that is specifically located on the chin. Therefore, the locale for a goatee is the CHIN.
A Not fake : REAL
The answer "REAL" fits the clue "A Not fake" because real means genuine or authentic, the opposite of fake.
A Nut that contains caffeine : KOLA
Kola nuts naturally contain caffeine, making "KOLA" the correct answer for the clue "A Nut that contains caffeine."
A Off-road ride, for short : ATV
The answer "ATV" stands for "All-Terrain Vehicle," which is commonly used for off-road rides.
A Onstage comment to the audience : ASIDE
An "aside" in theater is a line spoken by a character directly to the audience, not heard by the other characters on stage. This fits the clue "A onstage comment to the audience" perfectly.
A Pep rally sound : RAH!
"RAH!" is a common cheer or chant heard at pep rallies, making it the fitting answer to the clue "A Pep rally sound."
A Quite a long time : EONS
The word "EONS" is a unit of time that represents a very long period, making it synonymous with "Quite a long time."
A Quite frequently : A LOT
The phrase "quite frequently" is another way of saying "a lot," making "A LOT" the right solution.
A Reprimands : SCOLDS
The word "SCOLDS" is a verb that means to reprimand or criticize someone angrily. It fits the clue "A Reprimands" because it describes the action of scolding someone.
A Samoa’s capital : APIA
"APIA" is the capital of Samoa, a country in the South Pacific. It fits the clue because it directly refers to the capital city of Samoa.
A Scorpion pose or cobra pose : ASANA
In yoga, "asana" refers to a posture or pose. Both the Scorpion pose and Cobra pose are specific yoga poses, making "asana" the correct answer.
A Shut it! : BEDROOM DOOR
A Someone who might use a fake passport : SPY Down 1D “No ifs, ___ or buts”
The answer "SPY" fits the clue "A Someone who might use a fake passport" because a spy often uses fake identities and documents, like a fake passport, as part of their undercover work. The answer "OR" fits the clue "1D “No ifs, ___ or buts”" because the phrase "No ifs, ands, or buts" is a common expression meaning no excuses or exceptions.
A Stamp for a notary public : SEAL
The answer "SEAL" is the right solution because a notary public uses a stamp with their official seal to authenticate documents.
A Stephen Vincent ___, “John Brown’s Body” poet : BENET
Stephen Vincent Benet is the author of the poem "John Brown's Body," making "BENET" the correct answer for the clue.
A Voting no : ANTI
The answer "ANTI" fits the clue "A Voting no" because "ANTI" is a prefix that means against or opposed to something, which aligns with the idea of voting no on a particular issue or candidate.
A Zip it! : SLEEPING BAG
The phrase "A Zip it!" suggests something that can be zipped up, like a sleeping bag, making "SLEEPING BAG" the right answer.
A __ Juan, Puerto Rico : SAN
"San Juan" is the capital city of Puerto Rico, so the correct answer to the clue "A __ Juan, Puerto Rico" is "SAN."
A “In the middle of the night I call your name / Oh ___ / Oh ___” (John Lennon lyric) : YOKO
The answer "YOKO" fits the clue because Yoko Ono was John Lennon's wife and often referenced in his lyrics.
A “Nothing for me, thanks” : I’M SET
"I'M SET" is a common phrase used to indicate that one has everything they need and do not require any additional help or items. In this context, saying "Nothing for me, thanks" is synonymous with being set or having everything one needs.
A “Ransom” rapper ___ Tecca : LIL
"LIL" is the right answer because it is a common prefix used by many rappers in their stage names, including Lil Tecca.
A “That was ages ___” : AGO
The word "ago" is used to indicate the time that has passed since a specific event happened. In the clue "That was ages ___", the answer "AGO" completes the phrase to indicate a distant point in the past.
A “What ___ you saying?” : ARE
The phrase "What ___ you saying?" is asking for the missing word, which is "ARE" in this case.
D Air mattress problem : LEAK
The answer "LEAK" fits the clue "Air mattress problem" because a common issue with air mattresses is air leaking out, causing them to deflate.
D Bad thing to find in a refrigerator : ODOR
The answer "ODOR" is the right solution because a bad smell or odor is an unpleasant thing to find in a refrigerator.
D Breakfast items for Rocky in “Rocky” : RAW EGGS
In the movie "Rocky," the character Rocky Balboa famously consumes raw eggs as part of his training regimen. Therefore, the breakfast items for Rocky in "Rocky" are "RAW EGGS."
D Coolers of condos, e.g. : ACS
The answer "ACS" stands for "Air Conditioners," which are cooling units commonly found in condos.
D Dot on a radar screen : BLIP
The answer "BLIP" is the right solution because a blip is a small dot or spot on a radar screen that represents an object or target.
D Encrypted messaging software : SIGNAL
The answer "SIGNAL" fits because it is a popular encrypted messaging software known for its privacy and security features.
D Faucet annoyance : DRIP
The answer "DRIP" is the right solution because a leaking faucet is often referred to as a drip when it continuously drops water.
D From days of yore : OLDEN
The word "OLDEN" means from the past or ancient times, which fits the clue "D From days of yore" as it refers to something old or from a bygone era.
D Fruit of the Loom rival : HANES
HANES is a clothing brand that is a rival of Fruit of the Loom, making it the correct answer to the clue.
D Grains often found on top of an apple crisp : OATS
Oats are commonly used as a topping for apple crisps, providing a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that pairs well with the sweet, soft apples.
D Groups of spin doctors, informally : PR TEAMS
"PR" is short for "public relations" and "TEAMS" refers to groups of people working together. Therefore, "PR TEAMS" is a casual term for groups of spin doctors who work in public relations.
D Hanukkah coins : GELT
"GELT" is the right solution because it is a Yiddish term for money, specifically referring to the chocolate coins given during Hanukkah as part of the tradition.
D Hosp. scan that’s better for claustrophobes : OPEN MRI
The answer "OPEN MRI" fits the clue because an Open MRI machine is designed to be more spacious and less confining than a traditional MRI machine, making it a better option for claustrophobic patients.
D Menial workers : PEONS
"PEONS" is the right answer because it is a term used to refer to low-ranking or menial workers.
D Nursery item with slatted sides : CRIB
The answer "CRIB" fits the clue because a crib is a nursery item that typically has slatted sides for ventilation and visibility.
D Org. to which to report a phone scam : FTC
The answer "FTC" stands for the Federal Trade Commission, an organization where you would report a phone scam. They work to protect consumers from fraudulent practices.
D Pair that can be licked or locked : LIPS
The answer "LIPS" fits the clue because lips can be licked and can also be locked together.
D Popular vitamin brand or its recommended dosage : ONE A DAY
The answer "ONE A DAY" fits the clue because it refers to a popular vitamin brand that is commonly recommended to be taken once a day for its intended benefits.
D Rubs the wrong way : IRKS
The word "IRKS" means to annoy or bother someone, which fits the clue "Rubs the wrong way" as it refers to something that is irritating or causing annoyance.
D Salsa ___ (green sauce) : VERDE
"Verde" is the right solution because "verde" is the Spanish word for green, and salsa verde is a type of green sauce commonly used in Mexican cuisine.
D See 30- : RADIO
The clue "D See 30-" is a reference to the letter "D" and instructs you to see clue 30. When you look at clue 30, it likely hints at the answer "RADIO." This is a common way crosswords link related clues together.
D Sprinter Devers, three-time gold medal winner at the Olympics : GAIL
The answer is "GAIL" because Gail Devers is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in sprinting.
D Texas city in the book and film “Friday Night Lights” : ODESSA
The answer is "ODESSA" because Odessa is the Texas city where the events of the book and film "Friday Night Lights" take place.
D The first “O” of YOLO : ONLY
The answer "ONLY" fits the clue because it is the first "O" in the phrase "YOLO," which stands for "You Only Live Once."
D Trunk of the body : TORSO
"TORSO" is the right solution because it refers to the trunk of the body, which includes the chest, abdomen, and back, excluding the head, arms, and legs.
D Underwater tracking aid : SONAR
SONAR is the right solution because it is an acronym for "Sound Navigation and Ranging," which is a technology used for underwater tracking and detection by emitting sound waves and analyzing the echoes that bounce back.
D Upper-house legislative proposal : SENATE BILL
The answer "SENATE BILL" fits the clue because a legislative proposal introduced in the upper house of the United States Congress, the Senate, is commonly referred to as a "SENATE BILL."
D Vapor from a teapot : STEAM
STEAM is the right answer because when water is heated in a teapot, it turns into vapor, which is known as steam.
D What to eat ice cream with : SPOON
D Yorkie-___ (dog hybrid) : POO
The answer "POO" fits the clue "D Yorkie-___ (dog hybrid)" because a Yorkie-Poo is a popular dog hybrid breed that is a mix between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Poodle.
D ___ Lama (Tibetan leader) : DALAI
The answer is "DALAI" because it completes the name "Dalai Lama," which refers to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
D ___ Sutra : KAMA
The "D" in the clue is a hint to the missing word, which is "Kama" making the answer "KAMA Sutra." The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian text on love and sexuality.
D ___-Caps (candy brand) : SNO
The candy brand you are looking for is "Dots" and the missing letter is "N". When you add "SNO" to "D", you get "SNOD", which is "Dots" spelled backward.
D “Don’t go anywhere!” : STAY!
The answer "STAY!" fits the clue "Don't go anywhere!" because "STAY!" is a common command used to ask someone not to leave or to remain in a specific location.
D “That was so fun!” : I HAD A BLAST!
This answer fits the clue because "I HAD A BLAST!" is a common expression used to convey that something was very enjoyable or fun.
D ”Welcome to Honolulu!” : ALOHA!
The clue "D 'Welcome to Honolulu!'" is hinting at a Hawaiian greeting, which is commonly known as "ALOHA."