USA Today Crossword Answers Today

Chaotic Scene

By Zhouqin Burnikel · Edited by Amanda Rafkin

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Across

  1. 1Dirty haze in a citySMOG
  2. 5___ off (prunes)LOPS
  3. 9Flower symbolizing faith and wisdomIRIS
  4. 13Seed holder on a pineCONE
  5. 14Actress HalleBERRY
  6. 15InsignificantMERE
  7. 16Training place for puppiesOBEDIENCESCHOOL
  8. 19Triangular part of a sharkFIN
  9. 20Fiend in Dante's "Inferno"SATAN
  10. 21"Taskmaster" creator AlexHORNE
  11. 22Southwest offeringFLIGHT
  12. 24Hezly Rivera's Olympic teamUSA
  13. 26Hip-hop's Run-___DMC
  14. 27"The Fugitive" actress WardSELA
  15. 28Tree with trembling leavesASPEN
  16. 30Have some lazijiEAT
  17. 31Hidden stockpileSTASH
  18. 34Snacks for squirrelsACORNS
  19. 36Supposedly private but widely known matterOPENSECRET
  20. 38Reared, like a childRAISED
  21. 40Some SoundCloud uploadsEPS
  22. 41Touch lightlyTAP
  23. 44Give it your ___ALL
  24. 45Sparkly crownTIARA
  25. 47Segments of a timelineERAS
  26. 49Best of the bestTOPTIER
  27. 51Move rapidly and forcefullyHURTLE
  28. 53Key skill in archeryAIM
  29. 54Squares on a calendarDATES
  30. 57Fox pup's shelterDEN
  31. 58Game played on a board shaped like a six-pointed starCHINESECHECKERS
  32. 62Cousin's momAUNT
  33. 63Spy's scoopINTEL
  34. 64PinnacleACME
  35. 65Animal hospital patientsPETS
  36. 66Pens with troughsSTIES
  37. 67Bathrooms, to an AussieLOOS

Down

  1. 1Shows contemptSCOFFS
  2. 2Decoration above a cribMOBILE
  3. 3Low soccer scoreONENIL
  4. 4H.S. diploma equivalentGED
  5. 5Period after Mardi GrasLENT
  6. 6Whale known for beaching itself to huntORCA
  7. 7Doc outlining assets before marriagePRENUP
  8. 8___ admin (IT pro)SYS
  9. 9"if u ask me . . ."IMHO
  10. 10Get more inventoryREORDER
  11. 11Participant in a certain triathlonIRONMAN
  12. 12ChoosesSELECTS
  13. 14Apt rhyme for "defeat"BEAT
  14. 17"More or less"ISH
  15. 18Roll of the diceCHANCE
  16. 23Sounds of disbeliefGASPS
  17. 25Browns in a skilletSEARS
  18. 28DonkeyASS
  19. 29Like a gauzy veilSHEER
  20. 32Golfer's reservationTEETIME
  21. 33"The Way Home" actress MacDowellANDIE
  22. 35Marine mammal that uses its chest as a dining tableOTTER
  23. 36Medium for RembrandtOILPAINT
  24. 37Audit proCPA
  25. 38Inflatable rodent seen at strikesRAT
  26. 39Lululemon rivalALO
  27. 42Style of Radio City Music HallARTDECO
  28. 43Largest city in SicilyPALERMO
  29. 46PassionateARDENT
  30. 48Smell and taste, for twoSENSES
  31. 50Eyelash treatmentsTINTS
  32. 51Shoes that add heightHEELS
  33. 52Tommy Trojan's sch.USC
  34. 55When Romeo meets JulietACTI
  35. 56You, in a hymnalTHEE
  36. 58Camera lens protectorCAP
  37. 59Tone with a hex codeHUE
  38. 60Girl in the famSIS
  39. 61"House" actor PennKAL

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. Dirty haze in a city — Answer: SMOG. Hint: This polluted mixture can blur a skyline and make breathing unpleasant. 🌫️
  2. 5. ___ off (prunes) — Answer: LOPS. Hint: This verb means to cut away small branches from a tree or shrub. ✂️
  3. 9. Flower symbolizing faith and wisdom — Answer: IRIS. Hint: In Greek mythology, this colorful bloom shared its name with a messenger goddess. 🌸
  4. 13. Seed holder on a pine — Answer: CONE. Hint: Pine seeds develop inside this woody, scaly structure. 🌲
  5. 14. Actress Halle — Answer: BERRY. Hint: She won an Oscar for portraying a troubled mother in Monster’s Ball. 🎬
  6. 15. Insignificant — Answer: MERE. Hint: This adjective describes something as only or nothing more than a particular thing. 🤏
  7. 16. Training place for puppies — Answer: OBEDIENCESCHOOL. Hint: Puppies learn commands and good manners at this structured school. 🐶
  8. 19. Triangular part of a shark — Answer: FIN. Hint: This streamlined body part helps a shark steer and stay balanced. 🦈
  9. 20. Fiend in Dante's "Inferno" — Answer: SATAN. Hint: This ultimate evil figure rules the lowest circle of Dante’s underworld. 🔥
  10. 21. "Taskmaster" creator Alex — Answer: HORNE. Hint: This British comedian created and hosts the anarchic panel show. 📺
  11. 22. Southwest offering — Answer: FLIGHT. Hint: You might book this with an airline for a trip across the country. ✈️
  12. 24. Hezly Rivera's Olympic team — Answer: USA. Hint: The young gymnast represented her home nation on the world’s biggest sporting stage. 🥇
  13. 26. Hip-hop's Run-___ — Answer: DMC. Hint: This pioneering rap duo helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream. 🎤
  14. 27. "The Fugitive" actress Ward — Answer: SELA. Hint: This actress played Helen Kimble in the thriller starring Harrison Ford. 🎭
  15. 28. Tree with trembling leaves — Answer: ASPEN. Hint: Its distinctive leaves quiver in even the slightest breeze. 🍃
  16. 30. Have some laziji — Answer: EAT. Hint: At a restaurant, this means to enjoy a serving of the spicy chicken dish. 🍽️
  17. 31. Hidden stockpile — Answer: STASH. Hint: This secret reserve is tucked away for later use. 🗝️
  18. 34. Snacks for squirrels — Answer: ACORNS. Hint: These small oak fruits are a favorite woodland food. 🐿️
  19. 36. Supposedly private but widely known matter — Answer: OPENSECRET. Hint: Everyone may know it, even though people pretend it is confidential. 🤫
  20. 38. Reared, like a child — Answer: RAISED. Hint: This describes someone brought up from infancy 👶
  21. 40. Some SoundCloud uploads — Answer: EPS. Hint: These short music releases may contain just a few tracks 🎵
  22. 41. Touch lightly — Answer: TAP. Hint: Use a fingertip for this gentle contact ☝️
  23. 44. Give it your ___ — Answer: ALL. Hint: Hold nothing back when making this effort 💪
  24. 45. Sparkly crown — Answer: TIARA. Hint: A princess might wear this glittering headpiece 👑
  25. 47. Segments of a timeline — Answer: ERAS. Hint: History can be divided into these broad periods ⏳
  26. 49. Best of the best — Answer: TOPTIER. Hint: The cream of the crop earns this praise 🏆
  27. 51. Move rapidly and forcefully — Answer: HURTLE. Hint: Think of an object flying onward with great momentum 💨
  28. 53. Key skill in archery — Answer: AIM. Hint: Archers need this to hit the center 🎯
  29. 54. Squares on a calendar — Answer: DATES. Hint: Appointments and holidays occupy these marked spots 📅
  30. 57. Fox pup's shelter — Answer: DEN. Hint: A young fox may curl up in this underground home 🦊
  31. 58. Game played on a board shaped like a six-pointed star — Answer: CHINESECHECKERS. Hint: Players hop marbles across a star-shaped board ⭐
  32. 62. Cousin's mom — Answer: AUNT. Hint: This relative is your parent's sibling 👪
  33. 63. Spy's scoop — Answer: INTEL. Hint: A secret agent gathers this useful information 🕵️
  34. 64. Pinnacle — Answer: ACME. Hint: Think of the highest point or ultimate peak of something. ⛰️
  35. 65. Animal hospital patients — Answer: PETS. Hint: These furry or feathered companions may need veterinary care 🐾
  36. 66. Pens with troughs — Answer: STIES. Hint: Pig enclosures often have feeding channels nearby 🐖
  37. 67. Bathrooms, to an Aussie — Answer: LOOS. Hint: An Australian might use this casual term for restrooms 🚻

Down

  1. 1. Shows contempt — Answer: SCOFFS. Hint: Someone may do this when dismissing an idea with disdain 🙄
  2. 2. Decoration above a crib — Answer: MOBILE. Hint: It gently spins overhead to entertain a baby 🎠
  3. 3. Low soccer score — Answer: ONENIL. Hint: This describes a narrow victory with just one goal ⚽
  4. 4. H.S. diploma equivalent — Answer: GED. Hint: This credential comes from passing a high-school equivalency exam. 🎓
  5. 5. Period after Mardi Gras — Answer: LENT. Hint: This solemn season leads up to Easter. ✝️
  6. 6. Whale known for beaching itself to hunt — Answer: ORCA. Hint: This clever black-and-white predator may chase seals right onto shore. 🐋
  7. 7. Doc outlining assets before marriage — Answer: PRENUP. Hint: Couples may sign this financial agreement before saying “I do.” 💍
  8. 8. ___ admin (IT pro) — Answer: SYS. Hint: This IT specialist manages networks, servers, and system access. 💻
  9. 9. "if u ask me . . ." — Answer: IMHO. Hint: This internet shorthand introduces a personal opinion. 💬
  10. 10. Get more inventory — Answer: REORDER. Hint: A shop does this when its shelves need restocking. 📦
  11. 11. Participant in a certain triathlon — Answer: IRONMAN. Hint: This extreme athlete swims, cycles, and runs in one grueling event. 🏊
  12. 12. Chooses — Answer: SELECTS. Hint: This verb means picks from several options. ☑️
  13. 14. Apt rhyme for "defeat" — Answer: BEAT. Hint: This punchy rhyme can mean to overcome or strike. 🥊
  14. 17. "More or less" — Answer: ISH. Hint: This casual expression signals an approximation. 🤷
  15. 18. Roll of the dice — Answer: CHANCE. Hint: Dice introduce an element of luck and uncertainty. 🎲
  16. 23. Sounds of disbelief — Answer: GASPS. Hint: Surprised listeners may make these sudden breaths. 😲
  17. 25. Browns in a skillet — Answer: SEARS. Hint: A hot pan does this to the outside of meat. 🍳
  18. 28. Donkey — Answer: ASS. Hint: This animal is often known for its stubbornness and is a common character in fables! 🐴
  19. 29. Like a gauzy veil — Answer: SHEER. Hint: This describes fabric that is delicate and see-through. 🧵
  20. 32. Golfer's reservation — Answer: TEETIME. Hint: A golfer books this scheduled starting slot. ⛳
  21. 33. "The Way Home" actress MacDowell — Answer: ANDIE. Hint: MacDowell’s first name belongs in this actress clue. 🎬
  22. 35. Marine mammal that uses its chest as a dining table — Answer: OTTER. Hint: This playful creature balances food on its belly while floating. 🦦
  23. 36. Medium for Rembrandt — Answer: OILPAINT. Hint: The Dutch master famously worked with pigments mixed into this medium. 🎨
  24. 37. Audit pro — Answer: CPA. Hint: This licensed financial expert may inspect a company’s books. 📊
  25. 38. Inflatable rodent seen at strikes — Answer: RAT. Hint: Think of the oversized protest prop shaped like a sewer dweller. 🐀
  26. 39. Lululemon rival — Answer: ALO. Hint: This athleticwear brand is popular for yoga and studio workouts. 🧘
  27. 42. Style of Radio City Music Hall — Answer: ARTDECO. Hint: Picture the theater’s glamorous geometric design movement. 🏛️
  28. 43. Largest city in Sicily — Answer: PALERMO. Hint: Look to Sicily’s bustling capital on the island’s northwest coast. 🌋
  29. 46. Passionate — Answer: ARDENT. Hint: Think of someone burning with intense enthusiasm or devotion 🔥
  30. 48. Smell and taste, for two — Answer: SENSES. Hint: These are faculties used to detect aromas and flavors. 👃
  31. 50. Eyelash treatments — Answer: TINTS. Hint: These darken lashes without requiring mascara. 👁️
  32. 51. Shoes that add height — Answer: HEELS. Hint: This footwear boosts your stature with an elevated back. 👠
  33. 52. Tommy Trojan's sch. — Answer: USC. Hint: Tommy Trojan represents a major university in Southern California. 🎓
  34. 55. When Romeo meets Juliet — Answer: ACTI. Hint: Their first encounter occurs in the opening section of the tragedy. 🎭
  35. 56. You, in a hymnal — Answer: THEE. Hint: Look for an old-fashioned second-person pronoun in worship lyrics. 🙏
  36. 58. Camera lens protector — Answer: CAP. Hint: A small cover keeps the camera’s glass safe when not in use. 📷
  37. 59. Tone with a hex code — Answer: HUE. Hint: A digital color code can identify this aspect of a shade. 🎨
  38. 60. Girl in the fam — Answer: SIS. Hint: This casual family shorthand means a female sibling. 👭
  39. 61. "House" actor Penn — Answer: KAL. Hint: He portrayed Dr. Kutner on the medical drama. 🎬

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Full USA Today Crossword answer list for today

Every clue from today's grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.

Across

#ClueAnswer
1Dirty haze in a citySMOG
5___ off (prunes)LOPS
9Flower symbolizing faith and wisdomIRIS
13Seed holder on a pineCONE
14Actress HalleBERRY
15InsignificantMERE
16Training place for puppiesOBEDIENCESCHOOL
19Triangular part of a sharkFIN
20Fiend in Dante's "Inferno"SATAN
21"Taskmaster" creator AlexHORNE
22Southwest offeringFLIGHT
24Hezly Rivera's Olympic teamUSA
26Hip-hop's Run-___DMC
27"The Fugitive" actress WardSELA
28Tree with trembling leavesASPEN
30Have some lazijiEAT
31Hidden stockpileSTASH
34Snacks for squirrelsACORNS
36Supposedly private but widely known matterOPENSECRET
38Reared, like a childRAISED
40Some SoundCloud uploadsEPS
41Touch lightlyTAP
44Give it your ___ALL
45Sparkly crownTIARA
47Segments of a timelineERAS
49Best of the bestTOPTIER
51Move rapidly and forcefullyHURTLE
53Key skill in archeryAIM
54Squares on a calendarDATES
57Fox pup's shelterDEN
58Game played on a board shaped like a six-pointed starCHINESECHECKERS
62Cousin's momAUNT
63Spy's scoopINTEL
64PinnacleACME
65Animal hospital patientsPETS
66Pens with troughsSTIES
67Bathrooms, to an AussieLOOS

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Shows contemptSCOFFS
2Decoration above a cribMOBILE
3Low soccer scoreONENIL
4H.S. diploma equivalentGED
5Period after Mardi GrasLENT
6Whale known for beaching itself to huntORCA
7Doc outlining assets before marriagePRENUP
8___ admin (IT pro)SYS
9"if u ask me . . ."IMHO
10Get more inventoryREORDER
11Participant in a certain triathlonIRONMAN
12ChoosesSELECTS
14Apt rhyme for "defeat"BEAT
17"More or less"ISH
18Roll of the diceCHANCE
23Sounds of disbeliefGASPS
25Browns in a skilletSEARS
28DonkeyASS
29Like a gauzy veilSHEER
32Golfer's reservationTEETIME
33"The Way Home" actress MacDowellANDIE
35Marine mammal that uses its chest as a dining tableOTTER
36Medium for RembrandtOILPAINT
37Audit proCPA
38Inflatable rodent seen at strikesRAT
39Lululemon rivalALO
42Style of Radio City Music HallARTDECO
43Largest city in SicilyPALERMO
46PassionateARDENT
48Smell and taste, for twoSENSES
50Eyelash treatmentsTINTS
51Shoes that add heightHEELS
52Tommy Trojan's sch.USC
55When Romeo meets JulietACTI
56You, in a hymnalTHEE
58Camera lens protectorCAP
59Tone with a hex codeHUE
60Girl in the famSIS
61"House" actor PennKAL

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CostFreeNYT paid; LA Times free
EditorErik AgardWill Shortz / Patti Varol

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