Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 10 October 2024, Thursday (10-10-24). 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.
Anticipate : AWAIT
The word "await" means to wait for something expected. In the context of the clue "Anticipate," "await" is a synonym that fits the definition of looking forward to something.
Areas that are lower than their surrounding terrain : WELLS or DELLS
The answer "WELLS or DELLS" fits the clue "Areas that are lower than their surrounding terrain" because both wells and dells are natural depressions in the ground that are lower in elevation compared to the surrounding land.
Author’s concern that, when parsed as four parts, provides a hint to this puzzle’s theme : WORD CHOICE, and “W” OR “D” CHOICE
The answer "WORD CHOICE" can be parsed as "W" OR "D" CHOICE, which hints at the puzzle's theme of choosing between the letters "W" or "D" in certain words.
Black ___ : ICE
"Black Ops" is a term commonly used to refer to covert or secret military operations. In this crossword clue, "Black ___" is likely hinting at the second word of this term, which is "Ops."
Bold, energetic and ambitious type, it’s said : ARIES
"Bold, energetic and ambitious type" describes the characteristics of someone born under the astrological sign Aries. The clue also hints at the phrase "it's said," indicating that the answer is a zodiac sign often associated with these traits.
Bugs, perhaps : SPIES ON
Burnt bit of brisket : END
The word "END" can refer to the burnt end of a brisket, which is a popular and flavorful part of the meat.
Collector’s goal : SET
The answer "SET" fits the clue "Collector’s goal" because a collector's goal is often to complete a set of items, like a set of stamps or coins.
Computing pioneer Lovelace : ADA
Ada Lovelace is considered a computing pioneer for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She is often credited as the world's first computer programmer. "ADA" is the right answer because it refers to Ada Lovelace, the computing pioneer.
Confidently struts : SASHAYS
"SASHAYS" means to walk confidently with a swaying motion. In the context of the clue "Confidently struts," sashaying implies a stylish and self-assured way of walking, making it the correct answer.
Cy Young winners, e.g. : ACES
The term "ACES" is often used to refer to top pitchers, such as Cy Young winners, in a baseball team's rotation.
Dance floor lighting option : STROBE
The answer "STROBE" fits the clue "Dance floor lighting option" because a strobe light is a popular choice for creating a dynamic and energetic atmosphere on a dance floor with its quick, bright flashes of light.
Do some garden work : SOW or SOD
The answer "SOW or SOD" fits the clue "Do some garden work" because sowing seeds or laying sod are common gardening activities.
Dog leg terminus : PAW or PAD
The answer to "Dog leg terminus" being "PAW or PAD" makes sense because dogs have paws, which are at the end of their legs.
Druid, e.g. : PAGAN
The answer "PAGAN" is correct because a Druid is a type of pagan priest or religious leader.
Essence : PITH
The word "gist" means the main or essential part of something. It captures the essence of a concept or idea, making it the right answer for the clue "Essence."
Fail to act decisively in the face of a challenge : DITHER
"DITHER" means to be indecisive or hesitant, which fits the clue of failing to act decisively in the face of a challenge.
Feeds (on) : PREYS
The word "preys" means to feed on other animals as a predator does. In the context of the crossword clue "Feeds (on)", "preys" is the correct answer as it directly relates to animals feeding on other animals.
Fountain of Youth’s promise : RENEWAL
The Fountain of Youth is often associated with the idea of renewal or rejuvenation, making "RENEWAL" a fitting answer to the clue.
Gesture of reassurance : PAT
The gesture of "patting" someone on the back or shoulder is a common way to show reassurance or comfort. "Pat" is a concise way to represent this action in a crossword puzzle.
Give, but expect back : LEND
The clue "Give, but expect back" suggests a transaction where something is provided with the expectation of it being returned. The word that fits this description is "LEND," as when you lend something to someone, you are giving it to them temporarily with the expectation that it will be returned.
Goes hog-wild : RUNS RIOT
"Runs riot" means to behave in a wild and uncontrolled manner, which is synonymous with going hog-wild.
Indian honorific : SAHIB
"Sahib" is an Indian honorific used to show respect, especially to a man. It is commonly used in India and other South Asian countries.
Instrument panels : WASHBOARDS or DASHBOARDS
The answer "WASHBOARDS or DASHBOARDS" fits the clue "Instrument panels" because both washboards and dashboards are types of instrument panels found in different contexts - washboards are used in music as percussion instruments, while dashboards are found in vehicles to display information and controls.
Lavishly regaled, in a way : DINED
The clue "Lavishly regaled, in a way" is hinting at a fancy or luxurious way of being entertained, which often involves having a meal. "DINED" fits this description as it means to have a meal, especially in a formal setting, which aligns with being lavishly regaled.
Legislative collectives : BODIES
The term "bodies" is often used to refer to legislative collectives such as the Senate or Congress. It is a common term used to describe a group of individuals who make decisions or laws within a legislative context.
Like many Keats works : ODIC
ODIC is the right solution because many of John Keats' works are odes, which are lyrical poems of a serious or meditative nature. "Odic" is a related adjective form.
Like the femur, among all bones in the body : LARGEST
The femur is the largest bone in the human body, so the correct answer is "LARGEST."
Long time span : AGE
The word "age" can refer to a long time span in someone's life, making it a suitable answer for the clue "Long time span."
Lou Grant’s wife on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” : EDIE
The character Edie Grant is Lou Grant's wife on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," making "EDIE" the correct answer.
Melancholy Musketeer : ATHOS
The melancholy musketeer refers to a character from the novel "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas. Athos is one of the three main musketeers in the story, known for his serious and melancholic demeanor.
Mind : CARE
Move forward resolutely : PLOD
"PLOD" means to move forward slowly and with determination, which fits the clue "Move forward resolutely" perfectly.
Not quite right : OFF
The word "off" can mean not quite right or incorrect, which fits the clue.
Not ruling out : OPEN TO
"Open to" means willing to consider or accept something, which aligns with the idea of not ruling something out.
Old-timey medicines : TONICS
The answer "TONICS" fits the clue "Old-timey medicines" because tonics were often used in the past as traditional remedies or medicines to improve health and vitality.
One of three in an SOS message : DAH
The answer "DAH" is a Morse code signal representing a dash, which is one of the three types of signals used in an SOS message.
Part of a pipe : BOWL
"BOWL" is the right answer because in a pipe, the bowl is the part where the tobacco is placed and burned.
Play opener : ACT ONE
The answer "ACT I" is the right solution because it refers to the opening section of a play. It is commonly used to denote the beginning of a theatrical performance.
Prefix with cumulus : ALTO-
The prefix "alto-" is commonly used with cloud types, such as cumulus, to indicate a specific altitude range in meteorology.
Private sleeping accommodations? : COT
"COT" is the right solution because a cot is a portable bed that provides private sleeping accommodations, often used in places like camps or military barracks.
Put two and two together, say : ADDED
The phrase "put two and two together" means to add or combine information to draw a conclusion. Therefore, the answer "ADDED" fits the clue as it refers to the act of adding numbers together.
Quiet period : LULL
"LULL" is the right answer because a quiet period can be described as a lull, a temporary pause or decrease in activity or noise.
Raced, as away from danger : FLED
"FLED" is the right solution because it means to run away quickly from danger or a threatening situation. It fits the clue "Raced, as away from danger" as it describes the action of escaping swiftly.
Rich rock : ORE
"ORE" is the right solution because it is a type of rock that contains valuable minerals or metals that can be mined for profit. In this context, "rich" refers to the valuable minerals found in ore.
Right hand : AIDE
The answer "AIDE" is a synonym for assistant, and a right-hand person is someone's trusted assistant or close helper.
Scooby-Doo, to Scrappy-Doo : UNCLE
"UNCLE" is the right answer because in the Scooby-Doo series, Scrappy-Doo is Scooby-Doo's nephew, making Scooby-Doo his uncle.
Site for a light bite : CAFE
The answer "CAFE" fits the clue "Site for a light bite" because cafes are establishments where people typically go to have light meals or snacks, making it a suitable location for a light bite.
Sludge : OOZE
The answer to "Sludge" is "OOZE" because ooze refers to thick, slimy, and muddy substances, which is commonly associated with sludge.
Speed : ZOOM
The answer "RACE" fits the clue "Speed" because a race is a competition where participants try to be the fastest, making it synonymous with speed.
Stopover : INN
The word "INN" refers to a place where travelers can stay for a short period of time, making it a suitable answer for the clue "Stopover."
Subject to damages : LIABLE
"Liable" is the right solution because it means legally responsible for something, including being subject to damages in a lawsuit.
Sufficient, informally : ENUF
The answer "ENUF" is a casual and informal way of spelling "enough," which means sufficient. It fits the clue "Sufficient, informally" perfectly.
Swahili honorific : BWANA
"BWANA" is a Swahili honorific that is commonly used to address a man, similar to "Mr." in English. It fits the clue "Swahili honorific" perfectly.
Sweatshirt style : HOODIE
The answer is "HOODIE" because a hoodie is a style of sweatshirt that includes a hood to cover the head.
Swerve wildly from side to side, as a car : FISHTAIL
"Fishtail" is the right solution because it accurately describes the erratic side-to-side movement of a car, resembling the tail of a fish moving back and forth.
Syllables of laughter : HAH HAH
The answer "HAH HAH" is the right solution because it represents the sound of laughter and is commonly used to indicate someone laughing.
Text massager : EDITOR
The answer "EDITOR" is the right solution because an editor is someone who massages or works on text to improve its quality, clarity, and overall effectiveness.
Things listed on a wedding registry : DISHES
"DISHES" are commonly listed on a wedding registry as couples often register for new dinnerware sets or serving dishes to use in their home.
Toss out : SCRAP
The word "scrap" can mean to toss out or discard something, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Toss out."
Trademark of deadpan stand-ups : WRY HUMOR or DRY HUMOR
The answer "WRY HUMOR or DRY HUMOR" fits the clue "Trademark of deadpan stand-ups" because both wry and dry humor are characterized by a subtle, ironic, or understated delivery style often associated with deadpan comedians.
Ungulate feature : HOOF
The answer "HOOF" is the right solution because hooves are a distinctive feature of ungulates, which are mammals with hooves.
What lies before you, with “the” : … WAY AHEAD or … DAY AHEAD
The answer is "… WAY AHEAD" because it fits the clue "What lies before you, with 'the'". In this case, "WAY" comes before "YOU" with "THE" in between.
What makes a sticker stickier? : AN I
Whistle-blower Brockovich : ERIN
The answer "ERIN" fits the clue "Whistle-blower Brockovich" because Erin Brockovich is a well-known environmental activist and whistle-blower. The answer "ERIN" is her first name.
Word on a nutrition label : FAT
"FAT" is the right answer because it is a common word found on nutrition labels to indicate the amount of fat present in a food product.
Words to a betrayer : ET TU? Down 1 Major food source animal
The answer "ET TU?" fits the clue "Words to a betrayer" as it is a famous phrase from Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, where Caesar utters these words to his friend Brutus upon being betrayed. The answer "ET TU?" fits the clue "Words to a betrayer" as it is a famous phrase from Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, where Caesar utters these words to his friend Brutus upon being betrayed.
___ Bay, neighborhood of the Bronx : PELHAM
The answer to "___ Bay, neighborhood of the Bronx" is "PELHAM" because Pelham Bay is a well-known neighborhood located in the Bronx, New York City.
___ Park, neighborhood of Los Angeles : ECHO
The answer "ECHO" fits the clue because Echo Park is a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
“Educated insolence,” per Aristotle : WIT
"WIT" is the right solution because "educated insolence" is often associated with cleverness and quick thinking, which are characteristics of wit. Aristotle believed that wit was a balance between being too serious and too frivolous, making it a fitting answer for the clue.
“I’m flexible” : ANY
The word "any" suggests a lack of specificity or preference, indicating flexibility.
“Lucy and ___” (2022 documentary) : DESI
The answer is "DESI" because Desi Arnaz was the husband of Lucille Ball, the focus of the documentary "Lucy and Desi."
“Stee-RIKE three!” follower : YER OUT!
The phrase "YER OUT!" is what an umpire might say after calling "Stee-RIKE three!" in baseball, indicating that the batter is out.
“Twilight” protagonist : BELLA
Bella is the protagonist of the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer. She is a central character in the story, making her the correct answer to the clue.