Opposite of "fail," on an exam

Latest answer — August 23, 2026

36 Across

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Clue explained

To pass an exam is to succeed on it, making PASS the opposite of “fail” in this context.

Clue type:
Definition
A student holding a successful exam paper

Daily Themed Crossword

This clue's Sunday, August 23, 2026 appearance

Across

  1. 1"___ and Jerry"TOM
  2. 4Singer ___ King Cole of "Mona Lisa"NAT
  3. 7Coke or Pepsi containerCAN
  4. 10New York's Madison, for shortAVE
  5. 11Street-lining treesELMS
  6. 13"I ___ you my compass, didn't I?" (lent)GAVE
  7. 14Coat hanging pinPEG
  8. 15"___ for me!" (cry while running toward the school bus, perhaps)WAIT
  9. 16Apple tabletIPAD
  10. 17Mistake fixer in your school supplies that saves you when you write "this" as "thiss"ERASER
  11. 19Hockey legend Bobby ___ORR
  12. 21___ wrestling (test of strength)ARM
  13. 22Measuring tool in your school supplies that keeps your lines perfectly straight during geometryRULER
  14. 25Farming prefix with "culture"AGRI
  15. 28___ wipe (baby product)WET
  16. 29Mayo or salsa, e.g.DIP
  17. 31"I'm so ___ you came!" (words from a host)GLAD
  18. 32iPhone platformIOS
  19. 33Condescending oneSNOB
  20. 34"Yes," in FrenchOUI
  21. 35Writing fluid in your school supplies that converts blank pages into notes and completed assignmentsINK
  22. 36Opposite of "fail," on an examPASS
  23. 37Singer ___ John of "Rocket Man"ELTON
  24. 39Disco ___ (character from "The Simpsons")STU
  25. 41Shoo-___ (guaranteed winners)INS
  26. 42Friend whom you may have written to over the summer ... or a punny way to describe the words at 17a, 22a, 35a, 1d, and 26d: 2 wds.PENPAL
  27. 46___ and conditionsTERMS
  28. 49"Aren't ___ fine pair?" (comment from a 42a, perhaps): 2 wds.WEA
  29. 50Sense of self that may be inflatedEGO
  30. 51Actress ___ Larson of "Lessons in Chemistry"BRIE
  31. 52Cured meatHAM
  32. 53Rapper with the album "It Was Written"NAS
  33. 54Shortens, as jeansHEMS
  34. 55Surgery sites: Abbr.ORS
  35. 56Ones working in 55a, for shortDRS

Down

  1. 1Clear adhesive strip in your school supplies that patches things upTAPE
  2. 2"Roger that, ___ and out" (bit of conversation on a walkie-talkie)OVER
  3. 3___ Millions (lottery game)MEGA
  4. 4Like the PS5 in comparison to the PS4NEWER
  5. 5What gets snoozed in the morningALARM
  6. 6"I didn't need to know all that!" in textspeak: Abbr.TMI
  7. 7Baseball ___ (headgear)CAP
  8. 8Actress ___ Gardner of "55 Days at Peking"AVA
  9. 9___ Flanders whose children are Rod and ToddNED
  10. 12Strip mall unitsSTORES
  11. 13Young ladyGIRL
  12. 18"She's the one who ___ that he snuck out!" (words from a tattletale)SAID
  13. 20Monotonous routineRUT
  14. 23Designer ___ Mode from "The Incredibles"EDNA
  15. 24Spanish "rivers"RIOS
  16. 25Not long ___ (recently)AGO
  17. 26___ stick, adhesive in your school supplies that you might need for arts and craftsGLUE
  18. 27Train trackRAIL
  19. 28Chinese frying vesselWOK
  20. 30"Curious George" network: Abbr.PBS
  21. 32Highway hotelsINNS
  22. 33Hand-___ (like some wool)SPUN
  23. 35Charged particlesIONS
  24. 38"___ up!" (cry before exam papers are collected)TIMES
  25. 39Long pointed weaponSPEAR
  26. 40Microsoft's video conferencing softwareTEAMS
  27. 43Await judgmentPEND
  28. 44When doubled, a jelly-like substance used as a thickenerAGAR
  29. 45"Your ___!" ("You're missing out!")LOSS
  30. 46Letters that might precede a truth or an opinionTBH
  31. 47"Before," beforeERE
  32. 48Edge of a glassRIM
  33. 49Word one might say before being called an owl, in a knock-knock jokeWHO

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. "___ and Jerry" — Answer: TOM. Hint: Think of the classic cartoon cat who’s always chasing Jerry 🐱
  2. 4. Singer ___ King Cole of "Mona Lisa" — Answer: NAT. Hint: Think of the smooth-voiced crooner who made “Mona Lisa” a classic 🎶
  3. 7. Coke or Pepsi container — Answer: CAN. Hint: Think of the familiar metal vessel you might recycle after enjoying a fizzy drink. 🥤
  4. 10. New York's Madison, for short — Answer: AVE. Hint: Think of the familiar abbreviation for Madison Avenue in New York City 🗽
  5. 11. Street-lining trees — Answer: ELMS. Hint: Think of the classic shade trees often planted along city avenues 🌳
  6. 13. "I ___ you my compass, didn't I?" (lent) — Answer: GAVE. Hint: Think of the past-tense verb meaning handed over or loaned. 🧭
  7. 14. Coat hanging pin — Answer: PEG. Hint: A small wall-mounted hook keeps your jacket off the floor. 🧥
  8. 15. "___ for me!" (cry while running toward the school bus, perhaps) — Answer: WAIT. Hint: A hurried plea asking someone to pause before you miss your ride. 🚌
  9. 16. Apple tablet — Answer: IPAD. Hint: This gadget is perfect for reading, browsing, and watching your favorite shows on the go! 🍏
  10. 17. Mistake fixer in your school supplies that saves you when you write "this" as "thiss" — Answer: ERASER. Hint: Reach for this handy school-supply tool when an extra letter sneaks into your writing. ✏️
  11. 19. Hockey legend Bobby ___ — Answer: ORR. Hint: Think of the legendary Boston Bruins defenseman whose number hangs in the rafters 🏒
  12. 21. ___ wrestling (test of strength) — Answer: ARM. Hint: It’s a tabletop strength contest where opponents try to force each other’s hand down. 💪
  13. 22. Measuring tool in your school supplies that keeps your lines perfectly straight during geometry — Answer: RULER. Hint: Think of the flat school-supply tool used to draw precise lines and measure lengths 📏
  14. 25. Farming prefix with "culture" — Answer: AGRI. Hint: Think of a prefix connected to crops, fields, and rural life. 🌾
  15. 28. ___ wipe (baby product) — Answer: WET. Hint: Think of the moistened kind used for quick baby cleanup. 🧼
  16. 29. Mayo or salsa, e.g. — Answer: DIP. Hint: It’s something you might scoop up with a chip. 🥣
  17. 31. "I'm so ___ you came!" (words from a host) — Answer: GLAD. Hint: A warm host might use this word to show happiness that you arrived. 😊
  18. 32. iPhone platform — Answer: IOS. Hint: Think of the operating system that powers your favorite Apple device! 🍏
  19. 33. Condescending one — Answer: SNOB. Hint: Think of someone who acts superior and looks down on others. 🙄
  20. 34. "Yes," in French — Answer: OUI. Hint: A simple French affirmation you might say when agreeing. 🇫🇷
  21. 35. Writing fluid in your school supplies that converts blank pages into notes and completed assignments — Answer: INK. Hint: The trusty liquid carried by pens that turns empty pages into finished work 🖊️
  22. 36. Opposite of "fail," on an exam — Answer: PASS. Hint: It’s what you hope to do after studying hard for a test. 📚
  23. 37. Singer ___ John of "Rocket Man" — Answer: ELTON. Hint: Think of the flamboyant British piano legend behind “Rocket Man.” 🎹
  24. 39. Disco ___ (character from "The Simpsons") — Answer: STU. Hint: Think of Homer’s flashy, mirror-ball-loving friend who speaks in the third person. 🪩
  25. 41. Shoo-___ (guaranteed winners) — Answer: INS. Hint: These are the sure bets you’d confidently pick to win. 🎯
  26. 42. Friend whom you may have written to over the summer ... or a punny way to describe the words at 17a, 22a, 35a, 1d, and 26d: 2 wds. — Answer: PENPAL. Hint: Think of a summer correspondent and a clever label for the indicated entries. ✉️
  27. 46. ___ and conditions — Answer: TERMS. Hint: What you read before clicking “I agree” online 📜
  28. 49. "Aren't ___ fine pair?" (comment from a 42a, perhaps): 2 wds. — Answer: WEA. Hint: Complete the compliment by referring to both the speaker and companion before “fine pair.” 🤝
  29. 50. Sense of self that may be inflated — Answer: EGO. Hint: It’s the inner “I” that can sometimes get a little too big for its britches. 😄
  30. 51. Actress ___ Larson of "Lessons in Chemistry" — Answer: BRIE. Hint: She portrayed brilliant chemist Elizabeth Zott in the Apple TV+ adaptation of this bestselling novel. 🎬
  31. 52. Cured meat — Answer: HAM. Hint: Think of the savory pork staple often sliced for sandwiches or breakfast. 🐖
  32. 53. Rapper with the album "It Was Written" — Answer: NAS. Hint: Think of the Queensbridge MC who followed “Illmatic” with this acclaimed sophomore album. 🎤
  33. 54. Shortens, as jeans — Answer: HEMS. Hint: Takes up the bottom edge to give them a better fit 🧵
  34. 55. Surgery sites: Abbr. — Answer: ORS. Hint: Hospitals may list these operating-room locations in abbreviated form. 🏥
  35. 56. Ones working in 55a, for short — Answer: DRS. Hint: Think of the medical professionals who might staff the place named in 55-Across, abbreviated for brevity 🩺

Down

  1. 1. Clear adhesive strip in your school supplies that patches things up — Answer: TAPE. Hint: A handy classroom fix for torn paper or projects that need holding together 🛠️
  2. 2. "Roger that, ___ and out" (bit of conversation on a walkie-talkie) — Answer: OVER. Hint: A walkie-talkie sign-off uses this word to signal that the speaker has finished and is yielding the channel. 📻
  3. 3. ___ Millions (lottery game) — Answer: MEGA. Hint: Think of the lottery game whose name promises an enormous jackpot. 🎟️
  4. 4. Like the PS5 in comparison to the PS4 — Answer: NEWER. Hint: It belongs to the more recent generation of consoles. 🎮
  5. 5. What gets snoozed in the morning — Answer: ALARM. Hint: It’s the morning alert you silence for just five more minutes. ⏰
  6. 6. "I didn't need to know all that!" in textspeak: Abbr. — Answer: TMI. Hint: This texting abbreviation is what you say when someone overshares. 🙈
  7. 7. Baseball ___ (headgear) — Answer: CAP. Hint: This snug, brimmed headwear helps baseball players shield their eyes from the sun. ⚾
  8. 8. Actress ___ Gardner of "55 Days at Peking" — Answer: AVA. Hint: Think of the glamorous star who portrayed Nefertiri in this historical epic. 🎬
  9. 9. ___ Flanders whose children are Rod and Todd — Answer: NED. Hint: Think of the relentlessly upbeat Simpsons neighbor known for saying “Hi-diddly-ho!” 😊
  10. 12. Strip mall units — Answer: STORES. Hint: These are the individual shops that line a small shopping center. 🛍️
  11. 13. Young lady — Answer: GIRL. Hint: A young female person, often called a daughter or lass 👧
  12. 18. "She's the one who ___ that he snuck out!" (words from a tattletale) — Answer: SAID. Hint: A tattletale uses this past-tense verb to report what happened. 🗣️
  13. 20. Monotonous routine — Answer: RUT. Hint: A tiresome pattern you may feel stuck in 🔄
  14. 23. Designer ___ Mode from "The Incredibles" — Answer: EDNA. Hint: This petite fashion mastermind famously rejects capes while designing sleek superhero suits 🦸
  15. 24. Spanish "rivers" — Answer: RIOS. Hint: Think of the Spanish plural for flowing waterways. 🌊
  16. 25. Not long ___ (recently) — Answer: AGO. Hint: This word completes the phrase “not long ___,” meaning recently. 🕒
  17. 26. ___ stick, adhesive in your school supplies that you might need for arts and crafts — Answer: GLUE. Hint: A handy solid adhesive for paper projects and classroom crafts 🧴
  18. 27. Train track — Answer: RAIL. Hint: It’s the sturdy metal path that guides a train along its journey 🚆
  19. 28. Chinese frying vessel — Answer: WOK. Hint: This compact pan is a staple for stir-frying over high heat 🍳
  20. 30. "Curious George" network: Abbr. — Answer: PBS. Hint: Think of the three-letter abbreviation for the U.S. public broadcasting network that airs this mischievous monkey. 📺
  21. 32. Highway hotels — Answer: INNS. Hint: Think of roadside places where travelers can rest for the night. 🛏️
  22. 33. Hand-___ (like some wool) — Answer: SPUN. Hint: Think of wool twisted into yarn by hand rather than made by a machine. 🧶
  23. 35. Charged particles — Answer: IONS. Hint: These atoms or molecules carry an electrical charge ⚡
  24. 38. "___ up!" (cry before exam papers are collected) — Answer: TIMES. Hint: This warning means the test is over and pencils must stop moving. ⏰
  25. 39. Long pointed weapon — Answer: SPEAR. Hint: A medieval warrior might carry this into battle. ⚔️
  26. 40. Microsoft's video conferencing software — Answer: TEAMS. Hint: Think of the Microsoft app where coworkers meet online, chat, and collaborate. 💻
  27. 43. Await judgment — Answer: PEND. Hint: Be in limbo while waiting for a decision ⚖️
  28. 44. When doubled, a jelly-like substance used as a thickener — Answer: AGAR. Hint: Think of a seaweed-derived gelling agent used in desserts and laboratories, with its name repeated here. 🧪
  29. 45. "Your ___!" ("You're missing out!") — Answer: LOSS. Hint: A playful way to say that someone else is missing out. 😏
  30. 46. Letters that might precede a truth or an opinion — Answer: TBH. Hint: A casual online shorthand used to signal honesty before sharing your view. 💬
  31. 47. "Before," before — Answer: ERE. Hint: This poetic, old-fashioned word means “before” and often appears in classic verse. 📜
  32. 48. Edge of a glass — Answer: RIM. Hint: It’s the boundary you might sip from on a glass. 🥂
  33. 49. Word one might say before being called an owl, in a knock-knock joke — Answer: WHO. Hint: It’s the classic question you ask after hearing a knock at the door. 🚪

The answer to “Opposite of "fail," on an exam” in the Daily Themed crossword is PASS — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Daily Themed crossword on August 23, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 36-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Opposite of "fail," on an exam” answer

PASS (4 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is PASS.

What does PASS mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of PASS is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(verb)

  • move or cause to move in a specified direction
  • go past or across; leave behind or on one side in proceeding
  • (of time) elapse; go by

When else has “Opposite of "fail," on an exam” appeared?

Daily Themed reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 23, 2026 (most recent) → PASS. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Opposite of "fail," on an exam”?

The answer is PASS, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the Daily Themed crossword on August 23, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Opposite of "fail," on an exam”?

4 letters: PASS.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the Daily Themed crossword on August 23, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 36-Across.

Can “Opposite of "fail," on an exam” have a different answer?

Yes — Daily Themed sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Daily Themed Crossword answers?

The full grid for August 23, 2026 is on the Daily Themed Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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