ask someone in earnest nyt crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're tackling the New York Times crossword and got stuck on "ask someone in earnest", you've come to the right place. Below you'll find comprehensive answers categorized by letter count, along with explanations to help you understand the solution and improve your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "ask someone in earnest nyt crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
URGE: To try to persuade someone to do something, often with a sense of strong appeal or earnestness.
5 Letters
PLEAD: To make an emotional or earnest appeal, often in a legal context or when requesting something with strong sincerity.
7 Letters
ENTREAT: To ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something, conveying a deep level of sincerity and urgency.
IMPLORE: To beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something, indicating a very strong, heartfelt request.
More About "ask someone in earnest nyt crossword"
The clue "ask someone in earnest" is a classic example of how the New York Times crossword tests your vocabulary and understanding of nuanced synonyms. The phrase "in earnest" elevates a simple request to one made with deep sincerity, urgency, or even desperation. This means the answer will likely be a verb that conveys a strong emotional appeal rather than a casual inquiry.
Common pitfalls for this type of clue include considering only direct synonyms for "ask" without factoring in the "in earnest" modifier. The NYT puzzle designers love to use these subtle cues to guide solvers towards more precise, less obvious words. Therefore, thinking beyond mere synonyms to words that embody the intensity of the request is key.
When you encounter such clues, consider the emotional weight of the phrase. Is it a simple query, or is there a strong desire or need behind the asking? Words like PLEAD, URGE, ENTREAT, and IMPLORE all carry this weight, making them prime candidates for clues involving "earnest" or "sincere" requests.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: Always pay attention to adverbs and adjectives in a clue, like "in earnest." They add crucial context that narrows down the possible answers from general synonyms to more specific ones.
- Check Letter Count First: Before you even think of an answer, check the number of boxes. This immediately filters out many possibilities and focuses your word recall.
- Use Cross-References: Don't try to solve a clue in isolation. If you have a few letters from intersecting words, use them as hints. This is especially helpful when multiple words fit the clue's general meaning.
- Think Emotionally: For clues that imply feelings or states of being, consider words that evoke those emotions directly. "In earnest" is about sincerity and urgency, guiding you to words with similar emotional weight.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there multiple answers for one crossword clue?
Crossword clues often have multiple possible answers because different puzzles or different dates of the New York Times crossword may use the same clue but require a word of a different length, or a less common synonym. The correct answer depends on the specific puzzle you are solving and the number of letters required.
How do I know which answer is correct for my NYT crossword?
To determine the correct answer, first check the number of letters the grid requires. Then, look at any intersecting words you've already filled in. The correct answer must fit both the letter count and the cross-referenced letters. Sometimes, the specific nuance of the clue (e.g., past tense, plural) also helps narrow it down.
What does 'in earnest' imply in a crossword context?
In a crossword context, 'in earnest' implies a sincere, serious, or deeply felt appeal or action. It suggests a strong emotional component behind the request or action, often leading to answers like 'PLEAD,' 'URGE,' 'ENTREAT,' or 'IMPLORE,' which convey a sense of urgency and sincerity in asking.