Russian ruler of old
Latest answer — October 04, 2026
36 Across
Scroll down for rest of crossword answers
Clue explained
A tsar was an emperor or monarch of Russia, especially before the Russian Revolution.
- Clue type:
- Definition
NYT Crossword
This clue's Sunday, October 04, 2026 appearance
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
Across
Down
The answer to “Russian ruler of old” in the New York Times crossword is TSAR — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 4, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 36-Across, and it has also run on 1 earlier date with the same answer. 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.
“Russian ruler of old” answer
TSAR (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 TSAR.
What does TSAR mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of TSAR is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- an emperor of Russia before 1917
- a person appointed by government to advise on and coordinate policy in a particular area
When else has “Russian ruler of old” 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) → TSAR
- August 12, 2025 → TSAR
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Russian ruler of old”?
The answer is TSAR, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 4, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Russian ruler of old”?
4 letters: TSAR.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times crossword on October 4, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 36-Across. Earlier appearances: August 12, 2025 → TSAR.
Can “Russian ruler of old” 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.
Crossword Clues
Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.