This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, May 23, 2026 (36 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.
Answer length: 4 squares
First letter
C _ _ _
First and last letters
C _ _ E
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About the answer
COPE as a word: (intransitive) To deal effectively with something, especially if difficult; (slang) A coping mechanism or self-delusion one clings to in order to endure a hopeless situation.
COPE has been an answer 2 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since March 11, 2026.
Other clues with the same answer
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