This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, June 27, 2026 (16 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Saturday puzzles are the hardest of the week and themeless, so clues are often deliberately misleading.
How to read this clue
The question mark warns of wordplay. Expect a pun or a second meaning rather than a straight definition.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
R _ _ _
First and last letters
R _ _ N
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About the answer
REIN as a word: A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, animal or young child; (transitive) To direct or stop a horse by using reins.
REIN has been an answer 5 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since December 10, 2025.
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