Do you use any tools or tricks when stuck on crossword puzzles?

I enjoy solving crosswords, but sometimes I completely get stuck on a clue and can’t move forward. Do you usually just keep thinking, skip and return later, or use any helper lists or word tools for ideas (not direct answers)? Curious how others handle those moments.

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rinkydinkydoink · M

Every NYT crossword puzzle ever published is at this link - https://www.xwordinfo.com/

You should find solving tips and most of what your looking for there. By the way, if you get to know a few of the more prolific creators' styles, that helps, too (some really like to use puns).

Here is a clue in a Sunday NYT puzzle penned by a real rascal that took me forever to figure out because I made the mistake of not thinking beyond the way the creator wanted me to think: in a Sunday NYTP called Puzzle Of The Future, Merl Reagle wanted a 4 letter answer for "Dove home". I made the mistake of assuming he meant dove to mean type of bird with the logical answer being "cote".

Or here - https://crosswordtracker.com/

Or here - (if you want to solve the NYT crossword for free every day) - https://www.seattletimes.com/games-nytimes-crossword/