This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Monday, June 15, 2026 (10 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Monday puzzles are the easiest of the week, so the clue is likely a plain definition.
Answer length: 7 squares
First letter
P _ _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
P _ _ _ _ _ T
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About the answer
PRETEXT as a word: A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense; To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.
PRETEXT has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
More clues from this puzzle
- Fire truck attachment (6 Down)
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- Soul from Seoul (8 Down)
- Floppy part of a beagle (9 Down)
- On the ___ system (11 Down)
- Natural paradises (12 Down)
- "___ not worthy!" ("Wayne's World" quote) (13 Down)
- Not take "no" for an answer (18 Down)
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