Behaves as if one were going to fail

Latest answer — October 04, 2026

103 Across

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Clue explained

To “run scared” is to act nervously because you fear failure or defeat, especially in a contest or election. “Runs” is the present-tense verb form in the phrase.

Clue type:
Phrase or idiom
A political candidate campaigning while looking anxious.

NYT Crossword

This clue's Sunday, October 04, 2026 appearance

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  2. 107Make

The answer to “Behaves as if one were going to fail” in the New York Times crossword is RUNSSCARED — a 10-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 4, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 103-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.

“Behaves as if one were going to fail” answer

RUNSSCARED (10 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 RUNSSCARED.

When else has “Behaves as if one were going to fail” 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.

October 4, 2026 (most recent) → RUNSSCARED. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Behaves as if one were going to fail”?

The answer is RUNSSCARED, a 10-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 4, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Behaves as if one were going to fail”?

10 letters: RUNSSCARED.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on October 4, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 103-Across.

Can “Behaves as if one were going to fail” 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 October 4, 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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