This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Sunday, November 8, 2026 (12 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Sunday puzzles are large (21 by 21) and themed, about as hard as a Wednesday or Thursday.
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
A _ _ _
First and last letters
A _ _ L
Show the answer
About the answer
AWOL as a word: (originally military) Absent without official leave (permission); (military) Absence without proper authority from the properly appointed place of duty, or from unit, organization, or other place of duty at which one is req....
AWOL has been an answer 11 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 16, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- Honorary title holders (8 Down)
- Patriots' group, in brief (9 Down)
- Third-rate (10 Down)
- Like many New York subway stations (11 Down)
- Remote power sources (13 Down)
- Bratislava resident (14 Down)
- Service entrance, often (15 Down)
- Claim (16 Down)
Play today's NYT Crossword at The New York Times
All crossword clues · How to read tricky clues · Most common answers · Clues by answer length · Difficulty by day · Today's NYT Crossword answers · Today's Mini answers