Pretense
Latest answer — September 23, 2026
40 Across
Scroll down for rest of crossword answers
Clue explained
A FRONT can be a false appearance or pretense put up to conceal one’s real purpose. For example, a business may serve as a front for another activity.
- Clue type:
- Definition
NYT Crossword
This clue's Wednesday, September 23, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Pretense” in the New York Times crossword is FRONT — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 23, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 40-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.
“Pretense” answer
FRONT (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 FRONT.
What does FRONT mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of FRONT is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- the side or part of an object that presents itself to view or that is normally seen or used first; the most forward part of something
- the foremost line or part of an armed force; the furthest position that an army has reached and where the enemy is or may be engaged
- an appearance or form of behaviour assumed by a person to conceal their genuine feelings
When else has “Pretense” 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.
September 23, 2026 (most recent) → FRONT. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Pretense”?
The answer is FRONT, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 23, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Pretense”?
5 letters: FRONT.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times crossword on September 23, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 40-Across.
Can “Pretense” 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 September 23, 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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