This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, May 23, 2026 (6 Down). 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
T _ _ _
First and last letters
T _ _ S
Show the answer
About the answer
TIES as a word: (dated) Low shoes fastened with lacings.
TIES has been an answer 4 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since February 27, 2026.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- Sales job that Forbes magazine once dubbed "the original side hustle," informally (2 Down)
- Ancient collection of Hindu hymns (3 Down)
- Pampers (4 Down)
- Handled something poorly, say (5 Down)
- Tac preceder (7 Down)
- At least one (8 Down)
- Substance that undergoes change, as in a lab (9 Down)
- Magpie lookalike with black-and-white plumage (10 Down)
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