This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, April 23, 2026 (6 Down) and the NYT Crossword on Sunday, January 25, 2026 (9 Down). 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 asterisk marks a theme answer. It ties in to the puzzle's theme, which a "revealer" clue elsewhere in the grid usually explains.
NYT Crossword, April 23, 2026, 6 Down
Answer length: 6 squares
First letter
S _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
S _ _ _ _ T
Show the answer
About the answer
SOWHAT has been an answer 2 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since April 23, 2026.
NYT Crossword, January 25, 2026, 9 Down
Answer length: 6 squares
First letter
L _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
L _ _ _ _ R
Show the answer
About the answer
LESSER as a word: Of two (or, rarely, more than two) things: the smaller in size (littler), in value, in importance etc; a thing that is of smaller size, value, importance etc.
LESSER has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
More clues from this puzzle
- Adidas competitor (2 Down)
- *Material for a sidewalk (3 Down)
- Media exec Sarandos (4 Down)
- "You game?" (5 Down)
- "Why ___ even here?" (7 Down)
- It might come after trig (8 Down)
- *Lack of pulchritude (9 Down)
- Pickle portions (10 Down)
Play today's NYT Crossword at The New York Times
All crossword clues · Today's NYT Crossword answers · Today's Mini answers