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New York Times, Thursday, October 1, 2026

Author:
Jill Singer
Editor:
Will Shortz
Blog:
Features of gathering clouds?
TotalDebutLatest
411/7/202210/1/2026
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
1101100
RebusScrabDebutFlowFresh
21.602425.543%
Jill Singer

This puzzle:

Rows: 15, Columns: 15 Words: 78, Blocks: 36 Spans: 2 This is puzzle # 4 for Ms. Singer. Grid flow: 8.6 Thursday freshness: 35%
Jim Horne notes:

Three synonyms for STUMBLING fit into rebus BLOCKS.

Words that contain all five vowels, once each, in alphabetical order is one of the Auto Finder examples.

1
P
2
U
3
M
4
A
5
A
6
B
7
B
8
A
9
P
10
R
11
O
12
F
13
S
14
C
R
O
C
15
T
R
E
X
16
A
E
I
O
U
17
P
L
E
D
18
G
E
O
FALL
E
19
G
I
A
N
C
E
20
C
O
O
K
21
D
R
U
M
K
I
T
22
O
23
Z
24
S
25
E
V
E
26
A
T
S
27
P
A
Y
28
SLIP
S
E
R
29
V
30
I
C
E
31
T
32
A
33
T
34
U
P
R
O
A
R
35
E
R
E
36
M
A
C
E
37
S
A
I
N
T
38
A
G
E
39
C
E
L
I
A
40
E
T
A
S
41
R
N
A
42
S
H
R
E
D
S
43
S
A
N
44
M
A
G
N
45
E
T
I
C
S
TRIP
E
46
L
U
V
47
N
A
S
48
E
S
T
49
L
50
E
51
G
U
M
E
52
S
53
I
B
E
54
T
55
S
T
U
M
B
L
I
56
N
G
B
L
O
57
C
58
K
59
S
60
A
T
S
E
A
61
N
A
M
E
62
G
A
I
A
63
T
U
T
T
I
64
S
H
A
D
65
A
R
M
Y
© 2026, The New York Times10/1/26 ( No. 28,086 )
Across
1
Sneaker brand whose logo features the "Formstrip" : PUMA
5
"Thank You for the Music" group : ABBA
9
Some instructors, for short : PROFS
14
Gator's relative : CROC
15
"King of all kings" in the prehistoric world, familiarly : TREX
16
Features of gathering clouds? : AEIOU
17
Patriotic recitation since 1892 : PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE
20
Concoct, with "up" : COOK
21
It may include toms and a snare : DRUMKIT
22
Abbr. on a scale : OZS
25
First lady : EVE
26
Tagging symbols : ATS
27
Expresses support without meaning it : PAYSLIPSERVICE
31
Bit of ink : TAT
34
Quite the stir : UPROAR
35
Bygone "before" : ERE
36
Means of self-defense : MACE
37
Joan of Arc, for one : SAINT
38
It's just a state of mind, to some : AGE
39
Cruz known as the "Queen of Salsa" : CELIA
40
Some midflight announcements, in brief : ETAS
41
Molecule in protein synthesis : RNA
42
Disposes of securely, in a way : SHREDS
43
Start of the names of four of the U.S.'s 20 largest cities : SAN
44
Obsolescent credit card feature : MAGNETICSTRIPE
46
Term of affection in the U.K. : LUV
47
Rapper with the 1999 #1 album "I Am ..." : NAS
48
Is long ago? : EST
49
Chickpeas, e.g. : LEGUMES
53
"Uh-huh, sure it is" : IBET
55
Obstacles ... or a hint to three squares in this puzzle : STUMBLINGBLOCKS
60
Lost : ATSEA
61
Identify : NAME
62
Goddess of the earth : GAIA
63
All together, in music : TUTTI
64
Migratory fish with exceptionally sensitive hearing : SHAD
65
The Black Knights of the N.C.A.A. : ARMY
Down
1
Doc seen for an annual checkup : PCP
2
Address letters : URL
3
A Stooge : MOE
4
Band whose logo is stylized with a lightning bolt : ACDC
5
Came by for dinner : ATEOVER
6
Word with power or pawn : BROKER
7
Happen to : BEFALL
8
Cut : AXED
9
Great Basin tribe : PAIUTE
10
Chews (out) : REAMS
11
Cry heard by Old MacDonald : OINK
12
Central points : FOCI
13
Woodpecker food : SUET
18
Attacks : GOESAT
19
Words that might come before a meal : GRACE
22
Major works of art : OPUSES
23
Mexican revolutionary Emiliano : ZAPATA
24
Resident of Aleppo : SYRIAN
28
Moccasins and loafers, e.g. : SLIPONS
29
Free of animal products : VEGAN
30
Wrath : IRE
31
Writer Gay : TALESE
32
Hallucinatory experiences : ACIDTRIPS
33
It comes with cups and saucers : TEASET
36
Chicago exchange, in brief : MERC
38
Director Lee : ANG
39
Sculptor's tool : CHISEL
41
French composer who refused the Legion of Honour in 1920 : RAVEL
42
Skewered : STABBED
44
Gateway of India locale : MUMBAI
45
Tough nut to crack : ENIGMA
46
"Network" director Sidney : LUMET
49
Hurdle for an aspiring atty. : LSAT
50
Words of reproach following a betrayal : ETTU
51
Big blow : GUST
52
Things confessed : SINS
54
Ancient wrap : TOGA
56
"I don't wanna" : NAH
57
It might be on a lot : CAR
58
"___ Possible" (2000s animated series) : KIM
59
Perchance : SAY

Answer summary:
5 unique to this puzzle.

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