Okay, so I’ve been messing around with the New York Times Crossword for a while now. It’s become a sort of daily ritual, you know? Anyway, I wanted to share my experience with this particular clue: “Without a doubt”.
I first noticed it on March 15, 2024, in the NYT Mini Puzzle. I thought to myself, “Hey, this should be easy.” Little did I know, it would pop up again and again. I saw it again on June 9th, and then once more on June 10th. It’s like this clue was haunting me!
The first time, I tried to think of all the synonyms for certainty I could. “Surely,” “certainly,” “definitely,” you name it. I jotted them down, trying to see which one fit. The Mini Puzzle is smaller, so there’s less room for long words.
- SURELY
- CERTAINLY
- DEFINITELY
Turns out, “SURELY” was the answer that time. Six letters. Perfect fit. But then, on June 9th, it showed up in the full-sized crossword. This one is trickier since it’s got more words, longer ones too, and they all connect in this crazy web.
I started filling in the letters I was sure about in the surrounding clues, trying to get some hints. It felt like piecing together a big, complicated puzzle, except the pieces were words instead of those cardboard bits. It’s frustrating but also super satisfying when you get it right.
The June 10th one was tough. I spent a good chunk of my morning coffee time staring at the grid, trying to recall every single word I could think of that meant “without a doubt.” I went through my list of synonyms again, tried to remember any phrases from the newspaper that might fit. I kept in my mind thinking about what else it could be.
Eventually, after much trial and error, and a few erasures on my paper, I found it. I managed to solve it, just like I did before. It was that same word from before, “SURELY.” Phew! That feeling of relief and accomplishment? That’s why I keep coming back to these puzzles.
What’s interesting is how this phrase, “without a doubt,” is not just a crossword clue. It’s something bigger, you know? It’s like, the New York Times has this reputation, this legacy of being, well, right. Reliable. When they say something, people tend to believe it “without a doubt.” It is interesting how a simple crossword clue can make you think about all that stuff. The New York Times has been around forever, since like 1851 or something. It’s crazy to think about how much history is packed into those pages. I even found out you can buy old issues online. Imagine reading a newspaper from the 1800s! You can get access to their archives too, but it’s kind of limited for some years.
Anyways, solving these crosswords has become a fun little challenge for me. It’s a good way to keep my brain sharp, and it’s always interesting to see what clues they come up with. I can get unlimited access to The Times Digital including News, Games, Cooking, Wirecutter and The Athletic. I just click the subscribe button, It’s a good feeling, cracking those clues, especially the tricky ones.
My suggestion
If you’re into crosswords, or even if you’re just looking for a new mental challenge, I’d definitely recommend giving the NYT Crossword a try. Just be prepared for some head-scratchers, and don’t be afraid to use a dictionary or thesaurus. This is what I do all the time! And remember, even if you don’t get it right away, the process of puzzling it out is half the fun!
