Become less intense

Latest answer — February 10, 2026

15 Across

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NYT Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, February 10, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Pep in one's step
  2. 4Model airplane material
  3. 9___ de los Muertos
  4. 12Picture it!
  5. 15Become less intense
  6. 16"Holiday ___" (1942 film with Irving Berlin songs)
  7. 17Certain casino regular
  8. 19Vessel that might hold dye
  9. 20Online commerce
  10. 21First Oscar winner to be born in the 21st century (for Best Original Song)
  11. 23$$$ execs
  12. 25Psychic who examines lifelines and heart lines
  13. 28Leader of the Chipmunks, in an old novelty group
  14. 30"Lost" actor Daniel ___ Kim
  15. 31Art ___ (geometric architectural style)
  16. 32Viral dance of the 2010s
  17. 3420-ounce Starbucks size
  18. 37"Toy Story 2" character who says "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes, just in case"
  19. 41Invites for a nightcap, say
  20. 42Prohibit from practicing law
  21. 44"Don't Tell ___" ("Cabaret" song)
  22. 47Partner of the C.D.C. and F.D.A.
  23. 49Sound sometimes written as Z's
  24. 50Device measuring audience approval
  25. 54Denisovich or Ilyich of Russian literature
  26. 55"You Pick Two" bakery chain
  27. 56Word after mountain or vocal
  28. 58QVC alternative
  29. 59"I could use some help here" ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 37- and 50-Across
  30. 64Squeak (out)
  31. 65One terminal on a battery
  32. 66Catholic university whose mascot is a lion, aptly
  33. 67Body part that may have a ring or a stud
  34. 68Program for expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada
  35. 69Section of a journey

Down

  1. 1One who gets special treatment, for short
  2. 2"if u ask me ..."
  3. 3One might involve a drastic haircut and new clothes
  4. 4Song suitable for a slow dance
  5. 5Legal org.
  6. 6Set (down)
  7. 7Part of a cattle herd
  8. 8American Eagle subbrand
  9. 9Do the splits?
  10. 10"One moment!"
  11. 11Margaret Mead's subject, informally
  12. 13Regularly hits the gym, say
  13. 14Reputation or Lover, to a Swiftie
  14. 18One of three in the Domino's logo
  15. 22Occasion for some girl talk
  16. 23Common food shelf donation
  17. 24Flim-___
  18. 26Pool from a volcanic eruption
  19. 27Cross paths
  20. 29California wine valley
  21. 33Goddess of daybreak
  22. 35Land of ___ (Genesis locale)
  23. 36Public radio's "___ American Life"
  24. 38Something to whistle
  25. 39First and foremost
  26. 40Swimmer Torres with 12 Olympic medals
  27. 43Kylo ___, "Star Wars" antagonist
  28. 44John ___, longtime writer for The New Yorker
  29. 45State that's the subject of 44-Down's book "Coming Into the Country"
  30. 46Way of doing things
  31. 48Birkin bag maker
  32. 51"The Phantom of the Opera" instrument
  33. 52Only U.S. state with a monosyllabic name
  34. 53Emmy-nominated Issa
  35. 57Rapper Lil ___ X
  36. 60News website with a Latin name
  37. 61Email suffix once required to use Facebook
  38. 62Formerly named
  39. 63Snoopy or Scooby-Doo

The answer to “Become less intense” in the New York Times crossword is ABATE — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on February 10, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 15-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.

“Become less intense” answer

ABATE (5 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 ABATE.

Why the answer is ABATE

ABATE is the 5-letter solution that fits "Become less intense" in the NYT Crossword crossword on February 10, 2026 (15-Across). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

What does ABATE mean?

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

(verb)

  • (of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread

When else has “Become less intense” appeared?

New York Times 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.

February 10, 2026 (most recent) → ABATE. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Become less intense”?

The answer is ABATE, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on February 10, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Become less intense”?

5 letters: ABATE.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on February 10, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 15-Across.

Can “Become less intense” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times 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 NYT Crossword answers?

The full grid for February 10, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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