"Unholy" singer Smith

Latest answer — August 13, 2026

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Clue decoded

SAM is the first name of singer Sam Smith, known for songs including “Unholy.” The quotation marks identify the song title, while “Smith” supplies the surname.

Clue type:
Pop culture
Singer Sam Smith performing on stage.

USA Today Crossword

This clue's Thursday, August 13, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Zoom background effect
  2. 5"The West Wing" actor Alan
  3. 9Moves like a rope bridge
  4. 14Tiny bit
  5. 15Friendship bracelet bit
  6. 16Drink aka hot chocolate
  7. 17Gradually becoming more popular, like a trend
  8. 20Home of the WNBA's Dream (Abbr.)
  9. 21Place for chickens
  10. 22Not pro
  11. 23Bout "souvenir," perhaps
  12. 251-1, for one
  13. 26Through
  14. 29High-fat diet
  15. 30La Scala's home
  16. 33Basketball player Sue
  17. 34Surface for tree pose
  18. 36Affirmatives
  19. 37Current that brings warm water into the Atlantic
  20. 39Implicitly understood
  21. 42Give in
  22. 43Tooth or head trouble
  23. 44"___ what I'm thinking . . ."
  24. 45Tablet with a Mini version
  25. 49Veggie under a fairy-tale mattress
  26. 50Tell a fib
  27. 51Mat in a ryokan
  28. 53Reason to cancel a barbecue
  29. 55"Zip it!"
  30. 57Opposites of 36-Across
  31. 58Where the New England Revolution play their home games
  32. 62Vulcan, e.g.
  33. 63Cookie with a Firecracker Pop flavor
  34. 64"A Simple Favor" star Kendrick
  35. 65"___ your heart!"
  36. 66Bend out of shape
  37. 67Feel sorry for

Down

  1. 1Huge favor
  2. 2Totally cannot stand
  3. 3Monopoly property without fixed rents
  4. 4Published in a paper
  5. 5Out of the ordinary
  6. 6Toy brand discussed on Brickipedia
  7. 7Like a used towel, perhaps
  8. 8Kerfuffle
  9. 9Part of a play
  10. 10"Thanks, but that ___ be necessary"
  11. 11It might involve protests, marches or community organizing
  12. 12Second-person pronoun
  13. 13"Unholy" singer Smith
  14. 18"Rocks" in a drink
  15. 19Primary conduit
  16. 24Knuckle-headed move?
  17. 25Spill the beans
  18. 27Wrath
  19. 28Some might pop up
  20. 31"That time works for me"
  21. 32___-focused
  22. 33"Scram!"
  23. 35Prep for a major renovation, say
  24. 36Currency in Kyoto
  25. 38Place to take a break on a road trip
  26. 39Bar spout
  27. 40Unreturnable serve
  28. 41Third letter of the NATO alphabet
  29. 44Clue
  30. 46Grilled sandwich with Italian bread
  31. 47Quantity
  32. 48Feeling of shock and confusion
  33. 50Property claims
  34. 52"That's it!"
  35. 54Some craft beers
  36. 55Queen of Mount Olympus
  37. 56App operator
  38. 58Yap or yammer
  39. 59Under the weather
  40. 60AAA service
  41. 61Handshake alternative

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Zoom background effect — Answer: BLUR. Hint: It softens everything behind you so the room stays out of focus. 👀
  2. 5. "The West Wing" actor Alan — Answer: ALDA. Hint: Think of the veteran actor who played presidential candidate Arnold Vinick on the political drama 📺
  3. 9. Moves like a rope bridge — Answer: SWAYS. Hint: Think of the gentle side-to-side motion of a hanging bridge 🌉
  4. 14. Tiny bit — Answer: IOTA. Hint: Think of the smallest possible amount—barely a speck! 🔹
  5. 15. Friendship bracelet bit — Answer: BEAD. Hint: A small colorful piece you might thread onto a cord to personalize a wristband 🧵
  6. 16. Drink aka hot chocolate — Answer: COCOA. Hint: This warm, chocolatey drink is a cozy cup on a chilly day ☕
  7. 17. Gradually becoming more popular, like a trend — Answer: GAININGMOMENTUM. Hint: A trend that is picking up steam and attracting more followers is headed this way 📈
  8. 20. Home of the WNBA's Dream (Abbr.) — Answer: ATL. Hint: This WNBA team plays in the same city as the Falcons and Braves. 🏀
  9. 21. Place for chickens — Answer: COOP. Hint: It’s the little shelter where hens roost and lay eggs. 🐔
  10. 22. Not pro — Answer: ANTI. Hint: It describes someone or something opposed to a cause or idea. ⚖️
  11. 23. Bout "souvenir," perhaps — Answer: SHINER. Hint: A boxing match might leave this colorful mark around your eye. 🥊
  12. 25. 1-1, for one — Answer: TIE. Hint: A perfectly even score is called this. ⚖️
  13. 26. Through — Answer: VIA. Hint: Think of a short preposition meaning “by way of” or “using.” 🛣️
  14. 29. High-fat diet — Answer: KETO. Hint: This low-carb eating plan makes fat the main fuel. 🥑
  15. 30. La Scala's home — Answer: MILAN. Hint: This world-famous opera house stands in Italy’s stylish fashion capital. 🎭
  16. 33. Basketball player Sue — Answer: BIRD. Hint: Think of the legendary WNBA point guard whose surname sounds right at a birdwatching meet-up 🏀
  17. 34. Surface for tree pose — Answer: YOGAMAT. Hint: This cushioned exercise surface keeps your balance practice steady. 🧘
  18. 36. Affirmatives — Answer: YESES. Hint: These are what you give when agreeing more than once. 👍
  19. 37. Current that brings warm water into the Atlantic — Answer: GULFSTREAM. Hint: Think of the powerful Atlantic current that carries tropical warmth northward from the Gulf of Mexico. 🌊
  20. 39. Implicitly understood — Answer: TACIT. Hint: It’s understood without needing to be said aloud 🤫
  21. 42. Give in — Answer: RELENT. Hint: Stop resisting and yield to the pressure. 🏳️
  22. 43. Tooth or head trouble — Answer: ACHE. Hint: This describes the pain that can bother either your molars or your mind. 😣
  23. 44. "___ what I'm thinking . . ." — Answer: HERES. Hint: A conversational phrase that introduces an idea or opinion. 💭
  24. 45. Tablet with a Mini version — Answer: IPAD. Hint: This sleek Apple tablet has a smaller sibling known as the Mini. 🍎
  25. 49. Veggie under a fairy-tale mattress — Answer: PEA. Hint: Think of the tiny green legume that made a princess uncomfortable. 🫛
  26. 50. Tell a fib — Answer: LIE. Hint: Be untruthful about what really happened 🤥
  27. 51. Mat in a ryokan — Answer: TATAMI. Hint: Think of the woven floor covering found in a traditional Japanese inn. 🏯
  28. 53. Reason to cancel a barbecue — Answer: RAIN. Hint: Wet weather can put a serious damper on outdoor grilling 🌧️
  29. 55. "Zip it!" — Answer: HUSH. Hint: A firm request for someone to stop talking 🤫
  30. 57. Opposites of 36-Across — Answer: NOS. Hint: These are the negative votes, contrasting with the affirmatives at 36-Across. 👎
  31. 58. Where the New England Revolution play their home games — Answer: GILLETTESTADIUM. Hint: Think of the Foxborough venue named for a famous shaving brand 🏟️
  32. 62. Vulcan, e.g. — Answer: ALIEN. Hint: This Star Trek resident is a being from another world rather than a human. 🖖
  33. 63. Cookie with a Firecracker Pop flavor — Answer: OREO. Hint: Think of the classic sandwich cookie known for playful limited-edition flavors! 🍪
  34. 64. "A Simple Favor" star Kendrick — Answer: ANNA. Hint: Think of the actress who played Beca in Pitch Perfect and starred in A Simple Favor 🎬
  35. 65. "___ your heart!" — Answer: BLESS. Hint: A warm, old-fashioned expression of affection or gentle exasperation fits here. ❤️
  36. 66. Bend out of shape — Answer: WARP. Hint: Twist something until it loses its original form. 🌀
  37. 67. Feel sorry for — Answer: PITY. Hint: A gentle word for feeling bad on someone’s behalf 🤍

Down

  1. 1. Huge favor — Answer: BIGASK. Hint: Think of the informal phrase for asking someone to do something especially substantial. 🤝
  2. 2. Totally cannot stand — Answer: LOATHE. Hint: A strong verb for despising something with every fiber of your being 😤
  3. 3. Monopoly property without fixed rents — Answer: UTILITY. Hint: Think of a Monopoly space whose cost varies with your roll, much like a household bill varies with usage. 💡
  4. 4. Published in a paper — Answer: RAN. Hint: Think of what a newspaper does with an article it prints. 📰
  5. 5. Out of the ordinary — Answer: ABNORMAL. Hint: Think of a word describing something unusual or not typical. 🙂
  6. 6. Toy brand discussed on Brickipedia — Answer: LEGO. Hint: This iconic building-toy brand has its own fan-written encyclopedia entry. 🧱
  7. 7. Like a used towel, perhaps — Answer: DAMP. Hint: It might still be a little wet after drying off. 💧
  8. 8. Kerfuffle — Answer: ADO. Hint: When things get a bit chaotic, you might say there's some of this going on! 😄
  9. 9. Part of a play — Answer: SCENE. Hint: Think of a distinct segment of a drama, often set in one place or time. 🎭
  10. 10. "Thanks, but that ___ be necessary" — Answer: WONT. Hint: A polite refusal uses this contraction meaning “will not.” 🤝
  11. 11. It might involve protests, marches or community organizing — Answer: ACTIVISM. Hint: It’s collective action aimed at creating social or political change. ✊
  12. 12. Second-person pronoun — Answer: YOU. Hint: It’s the pronoun used when speaking directly to someone else. 🙂
  13. 13. "Unholy" singer Smith — Answer: SAM. Hint: This Grammy-winning singer teamed up with Kim Petras for the provocative hit “Unholy.” 🎤
  14. 18. "Rocks" in a drink — Answer: ICE. Hint: These chilled cubes make a drink clink. 🥃
  15. 19. Primary conduit — Answer: MAIN. Hint: Think of the principal route that carries something from place to place. 🚰
  16. 24. Knuckle-headed move? — Answer: NOOGIE. Hint: A playful prank that gives someone’s scalp a rough rub with your knuckles. 😄
  17. 25. Spill the beans — Answer: TATTLE. Hint: It means to reveal a secret or tell what you know 🤫
  18. 27. Wrath — Answer: IRE. Hint: Feeling a bit fiery? 🔥
  19. 28. Some might pop up — Answer: ADS. Hint: You may encounter these unexpectedly while browsing online. 🖥️
  20. 31. "That time works for me" — Answer: IMFREE. Hint: A cheerful way to say the proposed moment fits your schedule. 😊
  21. 32. ___-focused — Answer: LASER. Hint: Think of a beam known for its intense, pinpoint focus. 🔦
  22. 33. "Scram!" — Answer: BEATIT. Hint: A brisk command telling someone to leave immediately 🏃
  23. 35. Prep for a major renovation, say — Answer: GUT. Hint: Think of stripping a building down to its bare bones before rebuilding. 🏗️
  24. 36. Currency in Kyoto — Answer: YEN. Hint: Think of the money used in Japan, not a peaceful agreement. 💴
  25. 38. Place to take a break on a road trip — Answer: RESTSTOP. Hint: It’s where travelers pull over to stretch their legs and recharge. 🚗
  26. 39. Bar spout — Answer: TAP. Hint: Think of what pours your drink at a pub. 🍻
  27. 40. Unreturnable serve — Answer: ACE. Hint: A tennis player’s dream serve flies past the opponent untouched 🎾
  28. 41. Third letter of the NATO alphabet — Answer: CHARLIE. Hint: Count to three in the phonetic alphabet used by pilots and soldiers. 🔤
  29. 44. Clue — Answer: HINT. Hint: A small nudge toward solving something puzzling. 🧩
  30. 46. Grilled sandwich with Italian bread — Answer: PANINI. Hint: This toasted café favorite is pressed until the cheese gets deliciously melty. 🥪
  31. 47. Quantity — Answer: AMOUNT. Hint: It tells you how much of something there is. 📏
  32. 48. Feeling of shock and confusion — Answer: DISMAY. Hint: This unsettling feeling can strike when something goes unexpectedly wrong. 😲
  33. 50. Property claims — Answer: LIENS. Hint: These legal rights let creditors stake a claim on someone’s property. ⚖️
  34. 52. "That's it!" — Answer: AHA. Hint: A sudden moment of understanding might be exclaimed this way 💡
  35. 54. Some craft beers — Answer: ALES. Hint: These fermented favorites are often served on tap and come in many hoppy varieties 🍺
  36. 55. Queen of Mount Olympus — Answer: HERA. Hint: Think of the powerful goddess who rules beside Zeus on Mount Olympus. 👑
  37. 56. App operator — Answer: USER. Hint: Think of the person tapping and navigating through the app. 📱
  38. 58. Yap or yammer — Answer: GAB. Hint: To do this is to chatter away nonstop. 🗣️
  39. 59. Under the weather — Answer: ILL. Hint: Feeling sick or not quite yourself today 🤒
  40. 60. AAA service — Answer: TOW. Hint: It comes to the rescue when your car needs a lift. 🚗
  41. 61. Handshake alternative — Answer: DAP. Hint: Try the casual hand greeting popularized by athletes and friends instead of a formal clasp ✊

Recent USA Today Answers

The last 7 days of solutions

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The answer to “"Unholy" singer Smith” in the USA Today crossword is SAM — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 13, 2026, a Thursday puzzle, at 13-Down. 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.

“"Unholy" singer Smith” answer

SAM (3 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 SAM.

When else has “"Unholy" singer Smith” appeared?

USA Today 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 13, 2026 (most recent) → SAM. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the USA Today Crossword on August 13, 2026

Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.

Want every clue in one place? The full USA Today answer list for August 13, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live USA Today answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the USA Today Crossword

USA Today's daily crossword is a themed, accessible grid with no Monday-to-Saturday difficulty ramp — every day is written to be finishable in one sitting. This page covers a Thursday puzzle. Theme answers and short glue entries trade places in importance; when a theme clue stalls you, a confirmed crossing fill usually breaks it open.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “"Unholy" singer Smith”?

The answer is SAM, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the USA Today crossword on August 13, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “"Unholy" singer Smith”?

3 letters: SAM.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the USA Today crossword on August 13, 2026 (a Thursday puzzle), at 13-Down.

Can “"Unholy" singer Smith” have a different answer?

Yes — USA Today 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 USA Today answers?

The full grid for August 13, 2026 is on the USA Today answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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