NYT Crossword · 17 Across
“Soften, as a message” Crossword Clue
This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword for Tuesday, November 18, 2025 as 17 Across. The answer has 8 letters. Reveal it below one square at a time, or open the hints first if you only want a push in the right direction.
Answer
NYT Crossword · Tuesday, November 18, 2025 · 17 Across
Hints & tips
Each hint gives away a little more. Reveal them in order.
1
What it means
A definition of the answer, without the word itself.
2
Letters
The answer's length, first letter and last letter.
3
Another clue
Other clues from our archive that had the same answer.
More clues from this puzzle
The other clues from the NYT Crossword of Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Across
- 1First female musical artist to have a simultaneous #1 film and #1 album, familiarly crossword clue3 letters
- 4Rebound, as a pool shot crossword clue4 letters
- 8Requirement for domestic air travel starting in 2025 crossword clue6 letters
- 14Body part that might "pop" crossword clue3 letters
- 15Words of understanding crossword clue4 letters
- 16___ State, nickname for New York crossword clue6 letters
- 19Kitchen strainers crossword clue6 letters
- 20"Don't go!" crossword clue4 letters
- 21Appear gradually from the black, as a film image crossword clue6 letters
- 23Industrialist Lilly crossword clue3 letters
- 24Native led by Montezuma crossword clue5 letters
- 26A very high price, so to speak crossword clue9 letters
- 28Cereal variety from Switzerland crossword clue6 letters
- 30Lead female character crossword clue7 letters
- 31Summer temp, say crossword clue6 letters
- 34River's bottom crossword clue3 letters
- 35Dentist, colloquially crossword clue11 letters
- 38Actress Long of "Boyz N the Hood" crossword clue3 letters
- 39Gets back together crossword clue6 letters
- 40Shipped without prepaid postage, for short crossword clue7 letters
- 42Much of Mauritania and Mali crossword clue6 letters
- 47Japanese stadium that has hosted M.L.B. and N.F.L. games crossword clue9 letters
- 50Martian explorer crossword clue5 letters
- 51Last number in a countdown crossword clue3 letters
- 52Surgical stitch crossword clue6 letters
- 54Used a loom crossword clue4 letters
- 55Related to spiritual cause and effect crossword clue6 letters
- 57Collection of tasks … or what 17-, 26-, 35- and 47-Across comprise? crossword clue8 letters
- 59Timeless, to a poet crossword clue6 letters
- 60Small vortex crossword clue4 letters
- 61"Thanks, Captain Obvious!" crossword clue3 letters
- 62Best-of-seven games, say crossword clue6 letters
- 63Make airtight crossword clue4 letters
- 64Fancy hotel amenity crossword clue3 letters
Down
- 1Material that's been deliberately thrown overboard crossword clue6 letters
- 2Philosopher who wrote the "Tao Te Ching" crossword clue6 letters
- 3Fancy and elaborate crossword clue6 letters
- 4Auction action crossword clue3 letters
- 5Since crossword clue4 letters
- 6Just getting started with crossword clue5 letters
- 7Martial art with bamboo swords crossword clue5 letters
- 8Places to live crossword clue10 letters
- 9Key with one sharp crossword clue6 letters
- 10Subject of much Jane Goodall research crossword clue3 letters
- 11More alert and energetic crossword clue8 letters
- 12Limerick's locale crossword clue7 letters
- 13Fancy crossword clue6 letters
- 18They wink and blink crossword clue4 letters
- 22Filmmaker Nora crossword clue6 letters
- 25Advertising award crossword clue4 letters
- 27Southwestern wolf crossword clue4 letters
- 29Presents crossword clue10 letters
- 32Punctual people are said to arrive on this crossword clue6 letters
- 33End of an academic address crossword clue3 letters
- 35One fiddling around in a workshop crossword clue8 letters
- 36Like granola bars, typically crossword clue4 letters
- 37Onetime leader in St. Petersburg crossword clue4 letters
- 38Newborn child crossword clue7 letters
- 40Excites crossword clue6 letters
- 41Trigonometry ratio crossword clue6 letters
- 43Coyote's cry crossword clue4 letters
- 44Steers clear of crossword clue6 letters
- 45Excites crossword clue6 letters
- 46First name of the Queen of Soul crossword clue6 letters
- 48Quiets on Zoom crossword clue5 letters
- 49Wear away crossword clue5 letters
- 53Classic Icelandic saga crossword clue4 letters
- 56Scanner whose field strength is measured in teslas, for short crossword clue3 letters
- 58Toondom's Olive crossword clue3 letters
All answers for Nov 18, 2025Step-by-step The Crossword hints
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Frequently asked questions
How many letters is the answer to “Soften, as a message”?
The answer has 8 letters. It starts with T and ends with N, so you can check it against the squares you have already filled.
When was “Soften, as a message” last seen?
Most recently in the NYT Crossword on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 17 Across.
What is the answer to the “Soften, as a message” crossword clue?
The answer is TONEDOWN (8 letters). If you'd rather work it out yourself, the hints above give it away a little at a time.