USA Today Crossword Answers Today

Power Through

By Heather Grearan & Paul Gearan · Edited by Amie Walker

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Across

  1. 1___ pet (1970s fad)CHIA
  2. 5Tropical treePALM
  3. 9Best Casting, for oneOSCAR
  4. 14Provide free of chargeCOMP
  5. 15Bhutan's continentASIA
  6. 16Chicago hubOHARE
  7. 17Wham-O toy with some serious bounceSUPERBALL
  8. 19PeeledPARED
  9. 20Sources of precious metalsORES
  10. 21Kenai Fjords National Park stateALASKA
  11. 23Floating aimlesslyADRIFT
  12. 25Camp bedCOT
  13. 2612/24 and 12/31EVES
  14. 29"Lady Marmalade" singer LaBellePATTI
  15. 30"___: The Art of Creative Knotting"MACRAME
  16. 32Sticky substanceRESIN
  17. 33Sparkly headpieceTIARA
  18. 35"This instant!"NOW
  19. 36School safety exerciseFIREDRILL
  20. 39Ziploc productBAG
  21. 42Searches forSEEKS
  22. 43Insurance company named for a volcanoAETNA
  23. 47'90s Nickelodeon show with Kenan ThompsonALLTHAT
  24. 49___ GrasMARDI
  25. 50"Sounds good to me!"YEAH
  26. 51WNBA's Sky, on scoreboardsCHI
  27. 53Automatic alternativeMANUAL
  28. 54Ready for takeoff or landingSEATED
  29. 56Nickname for a longtime YankeeAROD
  30. 57Polite refusalNOSIR
  31. 59Burning the midnight oilSTAYINGUP
  32. 63Vote into officeELECT
  33. 64"I solved it!"AHA
  34. 65Condescending Wonka, e.g.MEME
  35. 66To-do list itemsTASKS
  36. 67Negroni liquorGIN
  37. 68"NBA Countdown" networkESPN

Down

  1. 1Includes on an email chainCCS
  2. 2Astros, on scoreboardsHOU
  3. 3Potato chips, for Art VandelayIMPORTS
  4. 4Drink before dinnerAPERITIF
  5. 5Blue Ribbon brewerPABST
  6. 6Happy ___ clamASA
  7. 7Pale purple flowerLILAC
  8. 8Seasonal Nabisco cookies featuring graham cracker and chocolateMALLOMARS
  9. 9"That was clumsy of me!"OOPS
  10. 10Salt dispenserSHAKER
  11. 11Group of travelersCARAVAN
  12. 12"What ___ you up to?"ARE
  13. 13Shiraz, e.g.RED
  14. 18Put a fresh surface onREFINISH
  15. 22Pong makerATARI
  16. 23World Party Day mo.APR
  17. 24"Lost" star Daniel ___ KimDAE
  18. 27Angsty music genreEMO
  19. 28Work with a SingerSEW
  20. 31Fried squid dishCALAMARI
  21. 33Sprouts caninesTEETHES
  22. 34"Not sure," for shortIDK
  23. 37Show emotion, sayREACT
  24. 38Bill Withers song with the lyric "I'm right up the road / I'll share your load"LEANONME
  25. 39Chesapeake, e.g.BAY
  26. 40Part of IPAALE
  27. 41Part of a Meg Griffin costumeGLASSES
  28. 44PlodsTRUDGES
  29. 45Confidentiality docNDA
  30. 46Homophone of 40-DownAIL
  31. 48Sudden feeling that kills romantic attractionTHEICK
  32. 52Item on a dog's collarIDTAG
  33. 53Like TulumMAYAN
  34. 55Theater and painting, for twoARTS
  35. 57After expensesNET
  36. 58"___, como vai?"OLA
  37. 60Sushi tunaAHI
  38. 61Diamond expert?UMP
  39. 62Pig holderPEN

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

  1. 1. ___ pet (1970s fad) — Answer: CHIA. Hint: Complete the name of the terracotta planter that sprouts greenery 🌱
  2. 5. Tropical tree — Answer: PALM. Hint: Picture a leafy tree lining a sunny beach 🏝️
  3. 9. Best Casting, for one — Answer: OSCAR. Hint: This is a coveted golden film award 🏆
  4. 14. Provide free of charge — Answer: COMP. Hint: To give someone a complimentary upgrade or admission is to do this 🎁
  5. 15. Bhutan's continent — Answer: ASIA. Hint: Bhutan sits in the mountainous region containing the Himalayas 🗺️
  6. 16. Chicago hub — Answer: OHARE. Hint: This major airport serves the Windy City ✈️
  7. 17. Wham-O toy with some serious bounce — Answer: SUPERBALL. Hint: Think of a small rubber toy famous for bouncing wildly 🎾
  8. 19. Peeled — Answer: PARED. Hint: A fruit or vegetable can be stripped of its outer layer this way 🍎
  9. 20. Sources of precious metals — Answer: ORES. Hint: Mines yield these mineral-bearing materials ⛏️
  10. 21. Kenai Fjords National Park state — Answer: ALASKA. Hint: This rugged northern state is home to the park’s glaciers 🧊
  11. 23. Floating aimlessly — Answer: ADRIFT. Hint: A boat without a course may be carried along by the water 🌊
  12. 25. Camp bed — Answer: COT. Hint: A simple portable bed often used while camping. 🏕️
  13. 26. 12/24 and 12/31 — Answer: EVES. Hint: These are the nights just before major holidays. 🎉
  14. 29. "Lady Marmalade" singer LaBelle — Answer: PATTI. Hint: This powerhouse vocalist fronted LaBelle and sang a famous New Orleans-set hit. 🎤
  15. 30. "___: The Art of Creative Knotting" — Answer: MACRAME. Hint: This decorative craft turns knotted cord into artistic designs. 🧶
  16. 32. Sticky substance — Answer: RESIN. Hint: This sticky material can come from trees or harden into jewelry. 🌲
  17. 33. Sparkly headpiece — Answer: TIARA. Hint: A glittering crown-like accessory suits royalty or pageants. 👑
  18. 35. "This instant!" — Answer: NOW. Hint: This word points to the present moment. ⏱️
  19. 36. School safety exercise — Answer: FIREDRILL. Hint: Students practice this emergency routine to prepare for flames. 🚨
  20. 39. Ziploc product — Answer: BAG. Hint: This resealable container is a familiar kitchen staple. 🛍️
  21. 42. Searches for — Answer: SEEKS. Hint: This verb means looks or hunts for something. 🔎
  22. 43. Insurance company named for a volcano — Answer: AETNA. Hint: This insurer takes its name from a fiery Sicilian peak. 🌋
  23. 47. '90s Nickelodeon show with Kenan Thompson — Answer: ALLTHAT. Hint: Kenan Thompson got an early Nickelodeon showcase on this sketch-comedy series. 📺
  24. 49. ___ Gras — Answer: MARDI. Hint: It precedes “Gras” in the name of a famous carnival celebration. 🎭
  25. 50. "Sounds good to me!" — Answer: YEAH. Hint: A casual affirmative can express enthusiastic agreement. 👍
  26. 51. WNBA's Sky, on scoreboards — Answer: CHI. Hint: On a scoreboard, Chicago is often reduced to this abbreviation. 🏀
  27. 53. Automatic alternative — Answer: MANUAL. Hint: When automation is unavailable, choose the hands-on option. ✋
  28. 54. Ready for takeoff or landing — Answer: SEATED. Hint: Passengers should be in this position before a plane moves. ✈️
  29. 56. Nickname for a longtime Yankee — Answer: AROD. Hint: This former Yankee slugger was often identified by a distinctive nickname. ⚾
  30. 57. Polite refusal — Answer: NOSIR. Hint: A courteous but firm negative reply adds a touch of formality. 🙅
  31. 59. Burning the midnight oil — Answer: STAYINGUP. Hint: This means remaining awake late into the night. 🌙
  32. 63. Vote into office — Answer: ELECT. Hint: Think about the process of choosing leaders in a democratic setting! 🗳️
  33. 64. "I solved it!" — Answer: AHA. Hint: A sudden flash of understanding often sounds like this 💡
  34. 65. Condescending Wonka, e.g. — Answer: MEME. Hint: This kind of internet joke travels widely through repeated images or captions 😂
  35. 66. To-do list items — Answer: TASKS. Hint: These are the individual chores waiting on your checklist ✅
  36. 67. Negroni liquor — Answer: GIN. Hint: This juniper-forward spirit is classic in a Negroni 🍸
  37. 68. "NBA Countdown" network — Answer: ESPN. Hint: This sports-media network airs the familiar basketball countdown show 🏀

Down

  1. 1. Includes on an email chain — Answer: CCS. Hint: These recipients get a copy without being the main addressee ✉️
  2. 2. Astros, on scoreboards — Answer: HOU. Hint: This three-letter scoreboard code represents Houston’s baseball team ⚾
  3. 3. Potato chips, for Art Vandelay — Answer: IMPORTS. Hint: For a fictional importer, these goods would come from abroad 📦
  4. 4. Drink before dinner — Answer: APERITIF. Hint: This premeal drink is meant to awaken the appetite 🍹
  5. 5. Blue Ribbon brewer — Answer: PABST. Hint: This American lager brand is associated with a blue award ribbon 🍺
  6. 6. Happy ___ clam — Answer: ASA. Hint: It completes the saying describing someone as cheerful and content 🐚
  7. 7. Pale purple flower — Answer: LILAC. Hint: This spring bloom shares its name with a soft purple shade 🌸
  8. 8. Seasonal Nabisco cookies featuring graham cracker and chocolate — Answer: MALLOMARS. Hint: These seasonal treats pair a graham base and chocolate coating with a marshmallow center 🍪
  9. 9. "That was clumsy of me!" — Answer: OOPS. Hint: This brief exclamation admits a small mistake 🙈
  10. 10. Salt dispenser — Answer: SHAKER. Hint: This kitchen container sprinkles salt through a perforated top 🧂
  11. 11. Group of travelers — Answer: CARAVAN. Hint: Travelers moving together may form this wandering procession 🚐
  12. 12. "What ___ you up to?" — Answer: ARE. Hint: This verb completes the casual question about someone’s current activities 🤔
  13. 13. Shiraz, e.g. — Answer: RED. Hint: Shiraz is typically classified by this wine color 🍷
  14. 18. Put a fresh surface on — Answer: REFINISH. Hint: To restore a worn table, you might give it this treatment 🪑
  15. 22. Pong maker — Answer: ATARI. Hint: This pioneering game company brought an early paddle classic to arcades 🕹️
  16. 23. World Party Day mo. — Answer: APR. Hint: This month hosts a global celebration of parties. 🎉
  17. 24. "Lost" star Daniel ___ Kim — Answer: DAE. Hint: Supply the Korean-American actor’s short middle name. 🎬
  18. 27. Angsty music genre — Answer: EMO. Hint: This genre turns intense feelings into catchy songs. 🎸
  19. 28. Work with a Singer — Answer: SEW. Hint: Use a sewing machine to stitch fabric together. 🧵
  20. 31. Fried squid dish — Answer: CALAMARI. Hint: Order this popular breaded seafood appetizer at an Italian restaurant. 🦑
  21. 33. Sprouts canines — Answer: TEETHES. Hint: This is what a puppy does when its sharp new teeth emerge. 🐶
  22. 34. "Not sure," for short — Answer: IDK. Hint: Text-message shorthand for uncertainty fits here. 🤔
  23. 37. Show emotion, say — Answer: REACT. Hint: Respond visibly to something that happens. 😮
  24. 38. Bill Withers song with the lyric "I'm right up the road / I'll share your load" — Answer: LEANONME. Hint: Name the classic tune about supporting a friend through hard times. 🎶
  25. 39. Chesapeake, e.g. — Answer: BAY. Hint: This broad coastal inlet is larger than a cove. 🌊
  26. 40. Part of IPA — Answer: ALE. Hint: This beer style supplies the final word in a famous brewing acronym. 🍺
  27. 41. Part of a Meg Griffin costume — Answer: GLASSES. Hint: Wear these to capture the cartoon character’s signature look. 🤓
  28. 44. Plods — Answer: TRUDGES. Hint: Moves slowly and heavily, often through difficult terrain. 🚶
  29. 45. Confidentiality doc — Answer: NDA. Hint: A short agreement promising you won't share sensitive information. 🤫
  30. 46. Homophone of 40-Down — Answer: AIL. Hint: It sounds like a word meaning to trouble or make unwell. 🤒
  31. 48. Sudden feeling that kills romantic attraction — Answer: THEICK. Hint: A cringe-inducing realization can make a crush instantly vanish. 💔
  32. 52. Item on a dog's collar — Answer: IDTAG. Hint: This small label helps identify a lost pet. 🐕
  33. 53. Like Tulum — Answer: MAYAN. Hint: Describes the ancient civilization associated with this Mexican destination. 🏛️
  34. 55. Theater and painting, for two — Answer: ARTS. Hint: Both belong among creative disciplines. 🎨
  35. 57. After expenses — Answer: NET. Hint: What remains once costs have been subtracted. 💰
  36. 58. "___, como vai?" — Answer: OLA. Hint: Complete this Portuguese greeting meaning hello. 👋
  37. 60. Sushi tuna — Answer: AHI. Hint: This prized fish is often served raw over rice or tucked into rolls 🍣
  38. 61. Diamond expert? — Answer: UMP. Hint: On the baseball diamond, this official makes the calls behind home plate ⚾
  39. 62. Pig holder — Answer: PEN. Hint: A farm enclosure keeps this muddy animal from wandering off 🐷

Recent USA Today Answers

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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
1___ pet (1970s fad)CHIA
5Tropical treePALM
9Best Casting, for oneOSCAR
14Provide free of chargeCOMP
15Bhutan's continentASIA
16Chicago hubOHARE
17Wham-O toy with some serious bounceSUPERBALL
19PeeledPARED
20Sources of precious metalsORES
21Kenai Fjords National Park stateALASKA
23Floating aimlesslyADRIFT
25Camp bedCOT
2612/24 and 12/31EVES
29"Lady Marmalade" singer LaBellePATTI
30"___: The Art of Creative Knotting"MACRAME
32Sticky substanceRESIN
33Sparkly headpieceTIARA
35"This instant!"NOW
36School safety exerciseFIREDRILL
39Ziploc productBAG
42Searches forSEEKS
43Insurance company named for a volcanoAETNA
47'90s Nickelodeon show with Kenan ThompsonALLTHAT
49___ GrasMARDI
50"Sounds good to me!"YEAH
51WNBA's Sky, on scoreboardsCHI
53Automatic alternativeMANUAL
54Ready for takeoff or landingSEATED
56Nickname for a longtime YankeeAROD
57Polite refusalNOSIR
59Burning the midnight oilSTAYINGUP
63Vote into officeELECT
64"I solved it!"AHA
65Condescending Wonka, e.g.MEME
66To-do list itemsTASKS
67Negroni liquorGIN
68"NBA Countdown" networkESPN

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Includes on an email chainCCS
2Astros, on scoreboardsHOU
3Potato chips, for Art VandelayIMPORTS
4Drink before dinnerAPERITIF
5Blue Ribbon brewerPABST
6Happy ___ clamASA
7Pale purple flowerLILAC
8Seasonal Nabisco cookies featuring graham cracker and chocolateMALLOMARS
9"That was clumsy of me!"OOPS
10Salt dispenserSHAKER
11Group of travelersCARAVAN
12"What ___ you up to?"ARE
13Shiraz, e.g.RED
18Put a fresh surface onREFINISH
22Pong makerATARI
23World Party Day mo.APR
24"Lost" star Daniel ___ KimDAE
27Angsty music genreEMO
28Work with a SingerSEW
31Fried squid dishCALAMARI
33Sprouts caninesTEETHES
34"Not sure," for shortIDK
37Show emotion, sayREACT
38Bill Withers song with the lyric "I'm right up the road / I'll share your load"LEANONME
39Chesapeake, e.g.BAY
40Part of IPAALE
41Part of a Meg Griffin costumeGLASSES
44PlodsTRUDGES
45Confidentiality docNDA
46Homophone of 40-DownAIL
48Sudden feeling that kills romantic attractionTHEICK
52Item on a dog's collarIDTAG
53Like TulumMAYAN
55Theater and painting, for twoARTS
57After expensesNET
58"___, como vai?"OLA
60Sushi tunaAHI
61Diamond expert?UMP
62Pig holderPEN

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

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