NYT Crossword Answers for June 7, 2024

Jump to: Tricky Clues

FRIDAY PUZZLE — Alice Liang made her New York Times Crossword debut almost a year ago as part of the 2023 class of the Diverse Crossword Constructor Fellowship. Each of the fellows is mentored by a puzzle editor in order to learn how to construct crosswords, and Ms. Liang worked with Christina Iverson.

This puzzle is Ms. Liang’s second in The Times and is likely to be a hit with solvers who feel that the Friday puzzles have not been as difficult as they used to be. I wrestled mightily with this one and had a good time doing it. I also learned a few things along the way. Any mistakes were of my own making. For example, a crossing that I originally thought was unfair turned out to be perfectly cromulent after I went back to reread the clues.

I encourage those who are just starting to solve the late-week, tougher puzzles to hang in there, because there is a lot to see in this grid. Today’s crossword may give you a run for your money, but you can solve it. The usual methods apply here:

• Fill in the entries you definitely know first. You can always branch out from there.

• Take breaks when you feel stuck. Your brain continues to work on the clues in the background, while you are doing something else, and you will probably be able to fill in more answers when you return to the puzzle.

• Work those crossings. If you don’t know an Across answer, try the crossing Down entries. Your brain loves filling in missing information, and you may be able to take an educated guess at the Across entry once you have a few letters filled in.

• Look things up if you don’t know them. I know. Some people feel that’s cheating. But trust me: You will become a better solver for it, because you will probably see that clue again.

The one thing I hope you don’t do is get so frustrated that you stop solving the puzzle. There’s no rule that says you have to finish, but you will feel so satisfied and pleased with yourself if you do. And hopefully, you will have learned something from the puzzle, as I did.

I’m rooting for you. Go get this one.

Tricky Clues

5A. It’s easy to assume that “Doing long-distance, say” is about running, but this clue refers to a long-distance relationship, and the answer is APART.

10A. A bird “Flaps” its wings, and you can have a flap on a bag or pocket, but in this puzzle, “Flaps” is a synonym for states of excitement. The answer, in the corresponding plural, is ADOS.