Incompetent person, so to speak

Crossword Answer — June 29, 2025

Answer

NYT Crossword

Sunday, June 29, 2025

By Mike Hobin

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

NYT Crossword Clues

Across

  1. 1Muslim leader
  2. 5Daffy Duck, for one
  3. 10Grueling process
  4. 14Unlocked?
  5. 18Consideration in the dating scene
  6. 19TV or radio station
  7. 20Capitulate
  8. 21Sacrificial site
  9. 22Apt clue for the circled letters
  10. 25Famed actress who portrayed Queen Christina in 1933's "Queen Christina"
  11. 26The Washington Monument, e.g.
  12. 27Twistable piece on Mr. Potato Head
  13. 28Eclectic cuisine style
  14. 29Apt clue for the circled letters
  15. 35Makes amends?
  16. 37Relative of a zither
  17. 38Caroler's tune
  18. 39Mind-clearing chants
  19. 40Takes down to the studs
  20. 41"Mighty" Mudville batter
  21. 43Staff symbol for violists
  22. 45Goon
  23. 46Apt clue for the circled letters
  24. 53Tart or torte
  25. 55R.p.m. gauge, for short
  26. 56"Parks and Recreation" character who says "Fishing relaxes me. It's like yoga, except I still get to kill something"
  27. 57Stadium chant
  28. 58Corp. worker concerned with employee development
  29. 60Choice on "Let's Make a Deal"
  30. 62What duelists and doodlers do
  31. 63Apt clue for the circled letters
  32. 71Employee welfare org.
  33. 72Issue with a scratched record
  34. 73Stick out
  35. 74He rhymed 19 different words with "Lenore" in his most famous work
  36. 75See 75-Down
  37. 78Some GPS calculations
  38. 80Ax handlers, perhaps
  39. 84Apt clue for the circled letters
  40. 89A.F.L.-___
  41. 90Hardware/software expert, in brief
  42. 91Exposed
  43. 92Variety of plant whose name is pronounced differently in the U.K. than the U.S.
  44. 93"Geez Louise!"
  45. 95Some fine art
  46. 97Remaining
  47. 98Kentucky Derby prize
  48. 99Apt clue for the circled letters
  49. 104Ajar, say
  50. 105___ Park, suburb of Chicago
  51. 106"Hey Ya" hip-hop duo
  52. 109Product in the paint department
  53. 110Apt clue for the circled letters
  54. 115Write by hand not using cursive
  55. 116Previously
  56. 117"The ___ is ..."
  57. 118At this point
  58. 119Stuff thrown over one's shoulder in an act of superstition
  59. 120Paint brand with an animal in its logo
  60. 121"Ditto!"
  61. 122Onetime high-speed fliers, for short

Down

  1. 1"So what's ___ you?"
  2. 2Initialism directed at the overly inquisitive
  3. 3Things you hope your dinner guests bring
  4. 4Alternatives to cabernets
  5. 5Copenhagen language, to locals
  6. 6Woman who is told "Don't Lose That Number" in a Steely Dan title
  7. 7The D-backs, on sports tickers
  8. 8"I'll take 'Crossword Clues' for $2,000, please, ___!"
  9. 9Bit of work
  10. 10Eight more than a dozen
  11. 11Nonprofessionals
  12. 12Fertilized ones become embryos
  13. 13Come together
  14. 14Cry following a countdown
  15. 15Open, light-filled area
  16. 16Works, works, works
  17. 17Bagpipe's sound
  18. 21___ fresca (refreshing Latin American beverage)
  19. 23Afflicts
  20. 24Like a $2 bill
  21. 28Became the duty of
  22. 30Besides
  23. 31Russian rebuff
  24. 32"You don't know what you're missing!"
  25. 33Pixar film that takes place in the Land of the Dead
  26. 34Happen again
  27. 35Old-style "OMG!"
  28. 36Fool
  29. 41Wispy streaks in the sky
  30. 42Pile of chips, maybe
  31. 44Many, many moons
  32. 46___ ball
  33. 47Did as expected on the links
  34. 48Class with many graphs, in brief
  35. 49"Beat it!"
  36. 50Sped
  37. 51Stylish vigor
  38. 52California ___, amphibian whose slippery skin produces a toxin lethal to humans
  39. 54Branch of Islam
  40. 59There are eight in a gallon: Abbr.
  41. 61Seasoning blend
  42. 62Contacted on social media, for short
  43. 63Fuzz
  44. 64Not worth ___
  45. 65Entertainer who doesn't sound very selfish?
  46. 66___-Ball
  47. 67"Runaway Bride" actress Wilson
  48. 68Breastfeed
  49. 69Obscure
  50. 70Jennifer who wrote "A Visit From the Goon Squad"
  51. 75With 75-Across, hearty baked entree
  52. 76Bring to the country
  53. 77Hair-raising
  54. 79Item turned upside down at a bar's closing time
  55. 81They barely scratch the surface
  56. 82Name on Irish stamps
  57. 83Blubbers
  58. 85"... if you get my drift"
  59. 86The Big Easy, in brief
  60. 87Cousin of a Nebula Award
  61. 88School founded as Kynge's College of Our Ladye of ___ besyde Windesore
  62. 92Pipes smoked at some lounges
  63. 93Phrase meant to be repeated
  64. 94Attack
  65. 96Incompetent person, so to speak
  66. 97Rug rat
  67. 98Campus mil. group
  68. 99Thresholds
  69. 100Patty or Selma, to Bart and Lisa
  70. 101Tattoo-removing option
  71. 102"You couldn't be more wrong!"
  72. 103Video game brother
  73. 107Ilk
  74. 108Square root of nueve
  75. 110Group of Black Friday shoppers, say
  76. 111Half and half
  77. 112"We come in peace" speakers, in brief
  78. 113Pi follower
  79. 114Help

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Muslim leader — Answer: IMAM
  2. 5. Daffy Duck, for one — Answer: DRAKE
  3. 10. Grueling process — Answer: SLOG
  4. 14. Unlocked? — Answer: BALD
  5. 18. Consideration in the dating scene — Answer: TYPE
  6. 19. TV or radio station — Answer: AIRER
  7. 20. Capitulate — Answer: CAVE
  8. 21. Sacrificial site — Answer: ALTAR
  9. 22. Apt clue for the circled letters — Answer: TOPRANKINGROYAL
  10. 25. Famed actress who portrayed Queen Christina in 1933's "Queen Christina" — Answer: GARBO
  11. 26. The Washington Monument, e.g. — Answer: OBELISK
  12. 27. Twistable piece on Mr. Potato Head — Answer: ARM
  13. 28. Eclectic cuisine style — Answer: FUSION
  14. 29. Apt clue for the circled letters — Answer: TOLKIENTREECREATURE
  15. 35. Makes amends? — Answer: EDITS
  16. 37. Relative of a zither — Answer: LYRE
  17. 38. Caroler's tune — Answer: NOEL
  18. 39. Mind-clearing chants — Answer: OMS
  19. 40. Takes down to the studs — Answer: GUTS
  20. 41. "Mighty" Mudville batter — Answer: CASEY
  21. 43. Staff symbol for violists — Answer: CCLEF
  22. 45. Goon — Answer: APE
  23. 46. Apt clue for the circled letters — Answer: NINETIMESOUTOFTEN
  24. 53. Tart or torte — Answer: DESSERT
  25. 55. R.p.m. gauge, for short — Answer: TACH
  26. 56. "Parks and Recreation" character who says "Fishing relaxes me. It's like yoga, except I still get to kill something" — Answer: RON
  27. 57. Stadium chant — Answer: OLE
  28. 58. Corp. worker concerned with employee development — Answer: HRREP
  29. 60. Choice on "Let's Make a Deal" — Answer: DOOR
  30. 62. What duelists and doodlers do — Answer: DRAW
  31. 63. Apt clue for the circled letters — Answer: PACIFISTSRENOUNCEMENT
  32. 71. Employee welfare org. — Answer: OSHA
  33. 72. Issue with a scratched record — Answer: SKIP
  34. 73. Stick out — Answer: BULGE
  35. 74. He rhymed 19 different words with "Lenore" in his most famous work — Answer: POE
  36. 75. See 75-Down — Answer: PIE
  37. 78. Some GPS calculations — Answer: ETAS
  38. 80. Ax handlers, perhaps — Answer: ROADIES
  39. 84. Apt clue for the circled letters — Answer: OURHOMENEARTHESUN
  40. 89. A.F.L.-___ — Answer: CIO
  41. 90. Hardware/software expert, in brief — Answer: ITPRO
  42. 91. Exposed — Answer: OUTED
  43. 92. Variety of plant whose name is pronounced differently in the U.K. than the U.S. — Answer: HERB
  44. 93. "Geez Louise!" — Answer: MAN
  45. 95. Some fine art — Answer: OILS
  46. 97. Remaining — Answer: TOGO
  47. 98. Kentucky Derby prize — Answer: ROSES
  48. 99. Apt clue for the circled letters — Answer: CASTAREALLYLONGLOOK
  49. 104. Ajar, say — Answer: UNSHUT
  50. 105. ___ Park, suburb of Chicago — Answer: OAK
  51. 106. "Hey Ya" hip-hop duo — Answer: OUTKAST
  52. 109. Product in the paint department — Answer: STAIN
  53. 110. Apt clue for the circled letters — Answer: MOUSEERADICATOR
  54. 115. Write by hand not using cursive — Answer: PRINT
  55. 116. Previously — Answer: ONCE
  56. 117. "The ___ is ..." — Answer: THING
  57. 118. At this point — Answer: HERE
  58. 119. Stuff thrown over one's shoulder in an act of superstition — Answer: SALT
  59. 120. Paint brand with an animal in its logo — Answer: BEHR
  60. 121. "Ditto!" — Answer: SODOI
  61. 122. Onetime high-speed fliers, for short — Answer: SSTS

Down

  1. 1. "So what's ___ you?" — Answer: ITTO
  2. 2. Initialism directed at the overly inquisitive — Answer: MYOB
  3. 3. Things you hope your dinner guests bring — Answer: APPETITES
  4. 4. Alternatives to cabernets — Answer: MERLOTS
  5. 5. Copenhagen language, to locals — Answer: DANSK
  6. 6. Woman who is told "Don't Lose That Number" in a Steely Dan title — Answer: RIKKI
  7. 7. The D-backs, on sports tickers — Answer: ARI
  8. 8. "I'll take 'Crossword Clues' for $2,000, please, ___!" — Answer: KEN
  9. 9. Bit of work — Answer: ERG
  10. 10. Eight more than a dozen — Answer: SCORE
  11. 11. Nonprofessionals — Answer: LAYMEN
  12. 12. Fertilized ones become embryos — Answer: OVA
  13. 13. Come together — Answer: GEL
  14. 14. Cry following a countdown — Answer: BLASTOFF
  15. 15. Open, light-filled area — Answer: ATRIUM
  16. 16. Works, works, works — Answer: LABORS
  17. 17. Bagpipe's sound — Answer: DRONE
  18. 21. ___ fresca (refreshing Latin American beverage) — Answer: AGUA
  19. 23. Afflicts — Answer: AILS
  20. 24. Like a $2 bill — Answer: RARE
  21. 28. Became the duty of — Answer: FELLTO
  22. 30. Besides — Answer: ELSE
  23. 31. Russian rebuff — Answer: NYET
  24. 32. "You don't know what you're missing!" — Answer: TRYIT
  25. 33. Pixar film that takes place in the Land of the Dead — Answer: COCO
  26. 34. Happen again — Answer: RECUR
  27. 35. Old-style "OMG!" — Answer: EGAD
  28. 36. Fool — Answer: DUPE
  29. 41. Wispy streaks in the sky — Answer: CIRRI
  30. 42. Pile of chips, maybe — Answer: ANTES
  31. 44. Many, many moons — Answer: EON
  32. 46. ___ ball — Answer: NERF
  33. 47. Did as expected on the links — Answer: MADEPAR
  34. 48. Class with many graphs, in brief — Answer: ECON
  35. 49. "Beat it!" — Answer: SHOO
  36. 50. Sped — Answer: TORE
  37. 51. Stylish vigor — Answer: ELAN
  38. 52. California ___, amphibian whose slippery skin produces a toxin lethal to humans — Answer: NEWT
  39. 54. Branch of Islam — Answer: SHIA. Hint: Consider a group that represents one of the main sects in the faith, often in contrast with another prominent one. 🌙
  40. 59. There are eight in a gallon: Abbr. — Answer: PTS
  41. 61. Seasoning blend — Answer: RUB
  42. 62. Contacted on social media, for short — Answer: DMED
  43. 63. Fuzz — Answer: POPO
  44. 64. Not worth ___ — Answer: ASOU
  45. 65. Entertainer who doesn't sound very selfish? — Answer: CHER
  46. 66. ___-Ball — Answer: SKEE. Hint: Think of that fun game where you toss balls into holes for points! 🎳
  47. 67. "Runaway Bride" actress Wilson — Answer: RITA
  48. 68. Breastfeed — Answer: NURSE
  49. 69. Obscure — Answer: CLOUD
  50. 70. Jennifer who wrote "A Visit From the Goon Squad" — Answer: EGAN
  51. 75. With 75-Across, hearty baked entree — Answer: POT
  52. 76. Bring to the country — Answer: IMPORT
  53. 77. Hair-raising — Answer: EERIE
  54. 79. Item turned upside down at a bar's closing time — Answer: STOOL
  55. 81. They barely scratch the surface — Answer: ICESKATES
  56. 82. Name on Irish stamps — Answer: EIRE
  57. 83. Blubbers — Answer: SOBS
  58. 85. "... if you get my drift" — Answer: HINTHINT
  59. 86. The Big Easy, in brief — Answer: NOLA
  60. 87. Cousin of a Nebula Award — Answer: HUGO
  61. 88. School founded as Kynge's College of Our Ladye of ___ besyde Windesore — Answer: ETON
  62. 92. Pipes smoked at some lounges — Answer: HOOKAHS
  63. 93. Phrase meant to be repeated — Answer: MANTRA
  64. 94. Attack — Answer: ASSAIL
  65. 96. Incompetent person, so to speak — Answer: SLOUCH
  66. 97. Rug rat — Answer: TYKE
  67. 98. Campus mil. group — Answer: ROTC
  68. 99. Thresholds — Answer: CUSPS
  69. 100. Patty or Selma, to Bart and Lisa — Answer: AUNT
  70. 101. Tattoo-removing option — Answer: LASER
  71. 102. "You couldn't be more wrong!" — Answer: GODNO
  72. 103. Video game brother — Answer: LUIGI
  73. 107. Ilk — Answer: SORT
  74. 108. Square root of nueve — Answer: TRES
  75. 110. Group of Black Friday shoppers, say — Answer: MOB
  76. 111. Half and half — Answer: ONE
  77. 112. "We come in peace" speakers, in brief — Answer: ETS
  78. 113. Pi follower — Answer: RHO
  79. 114. Help — Answer: AID

The answer to “Incompetent person, so to speak” in the New York Times crossword is SLOUCH — a 6-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times crossword on June 29, 2025, a Sunday puzzle, at 96-Down. If it's the entry standing between you and a clean grid, that's the word you need — and below you'll find why it fits, plus links to the day's other clues if more than one square is giving you trouble.

“Incompetent person, so to speak” answer

SLOUCH (6 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 SLOUCH.

Why the answer is SLOUCH

SLOUCH is the 6-letter solution that fits "Incompetent person, so to speak" in the NYT Crossword crossword on June 29, 2025 (96-Down). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

When else has “Incompetent person, so to speak” 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 before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.

June 29, 2025 (this puzzle) → SLOUCH. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Crossword crossword on June 29, 2025

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 New York Times answer list for June 29, 2025 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Crossword answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the NYT Crossword

The New York Times crossword, edited by Will Shortz, is the most famous daily puzzle in the United States. It runs a 15×15 grid Monday through Saturday and a larger 21×21 grid on Sunday, and its difficulty deliberately ramps through the week: Monday is the most approachable, Saturday the toughest, with Thursday often reserved for a trick or twist like rebus squares. This page covers a Sunday puzzle. A straight-definition entry is the kind of solid mid-grid answer that anchors the trickier crossings around it. Because the NYT reuses short, crossing-friendly words regularly, seeing them once makes them easier to spot next time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Incompetent person, so to speak”?

The answer is SLOUCH, a 6-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times crossword on June 29, 2025.

How many letters is the answer to “Incompetent person, so to speak”?

6 letters: SLOUCH.

Where did this clue appear?

In the New York Times crossword on June 29, 2025 (a Sunday puzzle), at 96-Down.

Can “Incompetent person, so to speak” 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 June 29, 2025 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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