Closely tracking

Crossword Answer — September 14, 2025

Answer

NYT Crossword

Sunday, September 14, 2025

By Daniel Grinberg

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

NYT Crossword Clues

Across

  1. 1New H.S. student
  2. 6They're here today, gone tomorrow
  3. 10Complete
  4. 14Swanky Tokyo shopping district
  5. 19Supplier of oxygenated blood
  6. 20Very similar
  7. 22Shaped like a kiwi fruit
  8. 23Orange creature in an arcade game
  9. 24Trees native to the Yukon
  10. 25Young bucks, say
  11. 26Supplier of 110-Across
  12. 29Locale of the oracle of Apollo
  13. 32Some tots' transports
  14. 36Allhallows ___
  15. 37Trees on the National Mall
  16. 40Nintendo character with a long, sticky tongue
  17. 43Emmy-winning actress Edebiri
  18. 44Celebration dedicated to a saint
  19. 46Vessel that infuses and pours
  20. 48Italian for "year"
  21. 49Reason to atone
  22. 50Lindsay who played both twins in 1998's "The Parent Trap"
  23. 51Monumental
  24. 52Voice of 110-Across
  25. 54Artist and co-creator of 91- and 110-Across
  26. 56Confectioner said to have co-created Rocky Road ice cream
  27. 57Liverpool's borders?
  28. 58Bowie collaborator Brian
  29. 59Key that a Mac lacks
  30. 601949 short that marked the first appearance of 91- and 110-Across
  31. 69Left-wing activist movement
  32. 72Sax who invented the saxophone
  33. 73___ horse
  34. 77Emulate an owl
  35. 78Closely tracking
  36. 80Love letters?
  37. 81Apropos
  38. 82It pumps up the volume
  39. 84What a queen may lay
  40. 87___ Wong, co-star of "Always Be My Maybe"
  41. 88Signature sound of 91-Across
  42. 91Target of 110-Across
  43. 93Partner of a pestle
  44. 94Broadband connection, in brief
  45. 95North Carolina college town
  46. 96Eccentric
  47. 97Personal trainer's count
  48. 98"That's useful information"
  49. 101Unscheduled slots
  50. 106P, to Pythagoras
  51. 107DuBois's portrayer in the film "A Streetcar Named Desire"
  52. 110Devious character who's the subject of this puzzle
  53. 112Company that once offered "50 Free Hours" CDs
  54. 113Bert's best buddy
  55. 114Supervised
  56. 115Upper limit
  57. 116"Huh?," in Honduras
  58. 117Mercilessly mock
  59. 118Part of Wayne's world?
  60. 119Nonkosher sandwich, in brief

Down

  1. 1Page for online answers
  2. 2Stick up
  3. 3Source of minerals
  4. 4Part of many purses
  5. 5It's buried to make peace
  6. 6Cost of a cab
  7. 7Baldwin of "The Boss Baby"
  8. 8Imbecile
  9. 9Overhead light?
  10. 10Gucci who pioneered bamboo-handled handbags
  11. 11Auditorium balcony, e.g.
  12. 12Cajun cooking staple
  13. 13Shaving on citrus desserts
  14. 14"You have my blessing"
  15. 15Russian ruler nicknamed "The Moneybag"
  16. 16This very moment
  17. 17Wine also known as Primitivo, familiarly
  18. 18Purchased spots
  19. 21View from St. Moritz
  20. 27Certain taco topping
  21. 28"Uh-uh"
  22. 29Run down
  23. 30Tied up
  24. 31With little excess
  25. 33Big ___ Burger, fictional Hawaiian fast-food chain in "Pulp Fiction"
  26. 34Cream that's said to combat dark circles
  27. 35Holding the biggest grudge
  28. 38Prime retail area: Abbr.
  29. 39Match up, as two devices
  30. 40Oscar-winning Michelle
  31. 41Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum site
  32. 42Dazed and confused
  33. 45___ story
  34. 46R&B; group with the #1 hit "Waterfalls"
  35. 47Stand-up comic Margaret
  36. 53It falls in the fall
  37. 55Day, in Dijon
  38. 60Be part of the crowd, with "in"
  39. 61"That feels incredible!"
  40. 62Silence-enforcing doc
  41. 63Avoid, as a falling anvil
  42. 64Spokeswoman in Progressive commercials
  43. 65Rising
  44. 66Some megafauna, informally
  45. 67Summer cabin, maybe
  46. 68"Go ___!" (Boston cheer)
  47. 69Captain in a classic novel
  48. 70"Uh-uh"
  49. 71Head over head?
  50. 74Actress Pflug
  51. 75Rod in a hot rod
  52. 76Word after film or pinot
  53. 78Vocally combine talking and crooning
  54. 79H.S. diploma alternative
  55. 82Tummy-toning tool
  56. 83Renowned N.Y.C. venue for divas
  57. 85Energy-saving vehicle
  58. 86Guzzle
  59. 89Raw fish dish
  60. 90Be a buttinsky
  61. 92Lack of a voice
  62. 97Witherspoon of "A Wrinkle in Time"
  63. 98Modern locale of ancient Babylon
  64. 99You, to Shakespeare
  65. 100Ozone layer issue
  66. 101Accented exclamations
  67. 102Two-in-one shampoo and conditioner brand
  68. 103Paris's Panthéon, for one
  69. 104Latin list shortener, in brief
  70. 105Risqué message
  71. 108Italian architect Ponti
  72. 109Nest builder
  73. 110Awe
  74. 111"___ heard enough!"

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. New H.S. student — Answer: FROSH
  2. 6. They're here today, gone tomorrow — Answer: FADS
  3. 10. Complete — Answer: ATOZ
  4. 14. Swanky Tokyo shopping district — Answer: GINZA
  5. 19. Supplier of oxygenated blood — Answer: AORTA
  6. 20. Very similar — Answer: ALOTALIKE
  7. 22. Shaped like a kiwi fruit — Answer: OVOID
  8. 23. Orange creature in an arcade game — Answer: QBERT
  9. 24. Trees native to the Yukon — Answer: REDALDERS
  10. 25. Young bucks, say — Answer: FAWNS
  11. 26. Supplier of 110-Across — Answer: ACMECORPORATION
  12. 29. Locale of the oracle of Apollo — Answer: DELPHI
  13. 32. Some tots' transports — Answer: TRIKES
  14. 36. Allhallows ___ — Answer: EVE
  15. 37. Trees on the National Mall — Answer: ELMS
  16. 40. Nintendo character with a long, sticky tongue — Answer: YOSHI
  17. 43. Emmy-winning actress Edebiri — Answer: AYO
  18. 44. Celebration dedicated to a saint — Answer: FEASTDAY
  19. 46. Vessel that infuses and pours — Answer: TEAPITCHER
  20. 48. Italian for "year" — Answer: ANNO
  21. 49. Reason to atone — Answer: SIN
  22. 50. Lindsay who played both twins in 1998's "The Parent Trap" — Answer: LOHAN
  23. 51. Monumental — Answer: HUGE
  24. 52. Voice of 110-Across — Answer: MELBLANC
  25. 54. Artist and co-creator of 91- and 110-Across — Answer: CHUCKJONES
  26. 56. Confectioner said to have co-created Rocky Road ice cream — Answer: EDY
  27. 57. Liverpool's borders? — Answer: ELS
  28. 58. Bowie collaborator Brian — Answer: ENO
  29. 59. Key that a Mac lacks — Answer: ALT
  30. 60. 1949 short that marked the first appearance of 91- and 110-Across — Answer: FASTANDFURRYOUS
  31. 69. Left-wing activist movement — Answer: ANTIFA
  32. 72. Sax who invented the saxophone — Answer: ADOLPHE
  33. 73. ___ horse — Answer: TROJAN
  34. 77. Emulate an owl — Answer: HOOT
  35. 78. Closely tracking — Answer: SHADOWING
  36. 80. Love letters? — Answer: XOXO
  37. 81. Apropos — Answer: APT
  38. 82. It pumps up the volume — Answer: AMP
  39. 84. What a queen may lay — Answer: ANTEGG
  40. 87. ___ Wong, co-star of "Always Be My Maybe" — Answer: ALI
  41. 88. Signature sound of 91-Across — Answer: BEEPBEEP
  42. 91. Target of 110-Across — Answer: ROADRUNNER
  43. 93. Partner of a pestle — Answer: MORTAR
  44. 94. Broadband connection, in brief — Answer: DSL
  45. 95. North Carolina college town — Answer: ELON
  46. 96. Eccentric — Answer: KOOKY
  47. 97. Personal trainer's count — Answer: REPS
  48. 98. "That's useful information" — Answer: ITHELPS
  49. 101. Unscheduled slots — Answer: OPENDATES
  50. 106. P, to Pythagoras — Answer: RHO
  51. 107. DuBois's portrayer in the film "A Streetcar Named Desire" — Answer: LEIGH
  52. 110. Devious character who's the subject of this puzzle — Answer: WILEECOYOTE
  53. 112. Company that once offered "50 Free Hours" CDs — Answer: AOL
  54. 113. Bert's best buddy — Answer: ERNIE
  55. 114. Supervised — Answer: OVERSAW
  56. 115. Upper limit — Answer: MAX
  57. 116. "Huh?," in Honduras — Answer: QUE
  58. 117. Mercilessly mock — Answer: RAGON
  59. 118. Part of Wayne's world? — Answer: WESTERN
  60. 119. Nonkosher sandwich, in brief — Answer: BLT

Down

  1. 1. Page for online answers — Answer: FAQ
  2. 2. Stick up — Answer: ROB
  3. 3. Source of minerals — Answer: ORE
  4. 4. Part of many purses — Answer: STRAP
  5. 5. It's buried to make peace — Answer: HATCHET
  6. 6. Cost of a cab — Answer: FARE
  7. 7. Baldwin of "The Boss Baby" — Answer: ALEC
  8. 8. Imbecile — Answer: DODO
  9. 9. Overhead light? — Answer: STAR
  10. 10. Gucci who pioneered bamboo-handled handbags — Answer: ALDO
  11. 11. Auditorium balcony, e.g. — Answer: TIER
  12. 12. Cajun cooking staple — Answer: OKRA
  13. 13. Shaving on citrus desserts — Answer: ZEST
  14. 14. "You have my blessing" — Answer: GOFORIT
  15. 15. Russian ruler nicknamed "The Moneybag" — Answer: IVANI
  16. 16. This very moment — Answer: NOW
  17. 17. Wine also known as Primitivo, familiarly — Answer: ZIN
  18. 18. Purchased spots — Answer: ADS
  19. 21. View from St. Moritz — Answer: ALP
  20. 27. Certain taco topping — Answer: MILDSALSA
  21. 28. "Uh-uh" — Answer: ITHINKNOT
  22. 29. Run down — Answer: DEFAME
  23. 30. Tied up — Answer: EVENED
  24. 31. With little excess — Answer: LEANLY
  25. 33. Big ___ Burger, fictional Hawaiian fast-food chain in "Pulp Fiction" — Answer: KAHUNA
  26. 34. Cream that's said to combat dark circles — Answer: EYEGEL
  27. 35. Holding the biggest grudge — Answer: SOREST
  28. 38. Prime retail area: Abbr. — Answer: MAINST
  29. 39. Match up, as two devices — Answer: SYNC
  30. 40. Oscar-winning Michelle — Answer: YEOH
  31. 41. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum site — Answer: OAHU
  32. 42. Dazed and confused — Answer: SPACEY
  33. 45. ___ story — Answer: SOB
  34. 46. R&B; group with the #1 hit "Waterfalls" — Answer: TLC
  35. 47. Stand-up comic Margaret — Answer: CHO
  36. 53. It falls in the fall — Answer: LEAF
  37. 55. Day, in Dijon — Answer: JOUR
  38. 60. Be part of the crowd, with "in" — Answer: FIT
  39. 61. "That feels incredible!" — Answer: AAH
  40. 62. Silence-enforcing doc — Answer: NDA
  41. 63. Avoid, as a falling anvil — Answer: DODGE
  42. 64. Spokeswoman in Progressive commercials — Answer: FLO
  43. 65. Rising — Answer: UPWARD
  44. 66. Some megafauna, informally — Answer: RHINOS
  45. 67. Summer cabin, maybe — Answer: RENTAL
  46. 68. "Go ___!" (Boston cheer) — Answer: SOX
  47. 69. Captain in a classic novel — Answer: AHAB
  48. 70. "Uh-uh" — Answer: NOPE
  49. 71. Head over head? — Answer: TOTEM
  50. 74. Actress Pflug — Answer: JOANN
  51. 75. Rod in a hot rod — Answer: AXLE
  52. 76. Word after film or pinot — Answer: NOIR
  53. 78. Vocally combine talking and crooning — Answer: SPEAKSING
  54. 79. H.S. diploma alternative — Answer: GED
  55. 82. Tummy-toning tool — Answer: ABROLLER
  56. 83. Renowned N.Y.C. venue for divas — Answer: METOPERA
  57. 85. Energy-saving vehicle — Answer: GREENCAR
  58. 86. Guzzle — Answer: GULPDOWN
  59. 89. Raw fish dish — Answer: POKE
  60. 90. Be a buttinsky — Answer: PRY
  61. 92. Lack of a voice — Answer: NOSAY
  62. 97. Witherspoon of "A Wrinkle in Time" — Answer: REESE
  63. 98. Modern locale of ancient Babylon — Answer: IRAQ
  64. 99. You, to Shakespeare — Answer: THOU
  65. 100. Ozone layer issue — Answer: HOLE
  66. 101. Accented exclamations — Answer: OLES
  67. 102. Two-in-one shampoo and conditioner brand — Answer: PERT
  68. 103. Paris's Panthéon, for one — Answer: TOMB
  69. 104. Latin list shortener, in brief — Answer: ETAL
  70. 105. Risqué message — Answer: SEXT
  71. 108. Italian architect Ponti — Answer: GIO
  72. 109. Nest builder — Answer: HEN
  73. 110. Awe — Answer: WOW
  74. 111. "___ heard enough!" — Answer: IVE

The answer to “Closely tracking” in the New York Times crossword is SHADOWING — a 9-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times crossword on September 14, 2025, a Sunday puzzle, at 78-Across. 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.

“Closely tracking” answer

SHADOWING (9 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 SHADOWING.

Why the answer is SHADOWING

SHADOWING is the 9-letter solution that fits "Closely tracking" in the NYT Crossword crossword on September 14, 2025 (78-Across). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

When else has “Closely tracking” 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.

September 14, 2025 (this puzzle) → SHADOWING. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Crossword crossword on September 14, 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 September 14, 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 “Closely tracking”?

The answer is SHADOWING, a 9-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times crossword on September 14, 2025.

How many letters is the answer to “Closely tracking”?

9 letters: SHADOWING.

Where did this clue appear?

In the New York Times crossword on September 14, 2025 (a Sunday puzzle), at 78-Across.

Can “Closely tracking” 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 14, 2025 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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