This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, November 27, 2025 (20 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
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: 3 squares
First letter
E _ _
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About the answer
ESC as a word: Abbreviation of escape key (on a computer keyboard). [(computing) A key on a computer keyboard that can be used to cancel an operation.]; Alternative letter-case form of Esc (“escape key”).
ESC has been an answer 9 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 16, 2025.
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