Introduction
Crept Around in a Weaselly Way Crossword Clue Stumped by the Crept around in a weaselly way NYT Crossword Clue Solution?
This crafty gem of a clue from The New York Times Mini Crossword (August 28, 2024) pulls one over, even the pros.
The solution is slunk a five letter word that may well be the single most dramatic of all those capturing the stealthy, weasel-like movements of furtive animals.
We’ll break down why SLUNK is the right answer here, and even help you understand some of the more difficult crosses (most likely clues to the puzzle are indicated with a ).
This guide provides you with everything you need to improve your game and get puzzling. Jump in and work with confidence!
What Does “Crept Around in a Weaselly Way” Mean?
The crept around in a weaselly way crossword clue paints a picture of sneaky, elusive movement. SLUNK, the past tense version of “slink,” is defined as to move quietly and furtively, according to Merriam-Webster.
Weaselly is an articulation of the weasel’s wily, dexterous character, a trait frequently associated with sneaky behavior in language and culture.
This will make SLUNK the perfect reply, combining a devious motive with subtle movement.
Understanding this wordplay gives you a leg up on other similar NYT crossword clues; sometimes, the trickier the puzzle, the more fun to solve.
Key Takeaways:
- SLUNK: Quietly moved, in the past of slink.
- Weaselly: Implies being sneaky, sneaky like a weasel’s agility.
- Source: Merriam-Webster dictionary for trustworthiness.
Why SLUNK Fits the NYT Mini Crossword Clue
The New York Times Mini Crossword is an iconic crossword puzzle for many people. They crept around in a weaselly way. The NYT clue is a five-letter past-tense verb, combining “crept” (quiet movement) with “weaselly” (sneaky personality).
SLUNK does well on this count, carrying a strong connotation of stealth and cunning, conceived by Joel Fagliano, the NYT Mini’s editor and a master of delightful wordplay (according to the NYT puzzle archives).
For instance, a clue like ”Moved stealthily: SNUCK” adheres to similar logic. Identifying these patterns can help you move to the next crossword clue even more efficiently.
Why SLUNK Works:
- Five Letters: Is the same length as the clue.
- Past Tense: Coordinates with “crept” for parallel structure.
- Weasel Imagery: It makes you want to sneak in perfectly.
Synonyms for SLUNK and Sneaky Behavior
Learning synonyms for ‘slunk’ opens similar clues, as well as enlarges your crossword arsenal. SLUNK references stealthy, weaselly movement, and its synonyms for sneaky movements do too.
Here’s a table for clarity:
| Synonym | Definition | Context |
| Crept | Moved slowly, quietly | Sneaking past a guard in a heist |
| Skulked | Lurked stealthily | Hiding in shadows to avoid notice |
| Stole | Moved silently | Slipping away from a crowded room |
| Sneaked | Acted covertly | Avoiding detection in a game |
| Sidled | Moved sideways, slyly | Edging along a wall discreetly |
These five-letter words for sneaky behavior make great clues in a NYT Mini crossword like “Lurked in a weaselly way: SKULKED.
For example, “sidled” could work as a clue about moving slyly in a small space. Practice this and you’ll be able to spot patterns faster.
Tips for Solving NYT Mini Crossword Clues Like This
Solving the NYT Mini Crossword Tips: If you’re stuck on a clue, try using your searching skills to find the answer.
Do you want to learn more about the ‘crept around in a weaselly way’ crossword clue? And clever phrasing in the NYT Mini pays off with smart strategies.
And here are a few answers for solvers with their hearts aflutter from the time together: Need some solving tips?
- Split Multi-Word Clues: Divide crept (movement) and weaselly way (sneaky style)” to determine the underlying action.
- Check Verb Tense: Crept is in the past tense; I would go with slunk over slink.
- Invoke Animals: Weasels indicate a level of treachery, so use synonyms for sneakiness , such as the animal “skulked.”
- Test 5-Letter Words: Try SNUCK or CREPT for fit.
Practice with: “Moved quietly (5 letters): SNUCK.” These tips for solving NYT Mini crossword clues will help you become a faster solver for all puzzles.
Weasel-Like Behavior in Literature and Pop Culture
Weaselly” trades on the sneaky reputation of weasels, reflected in fiction. In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago slithers through schemes, the apogee of weasel behavior in literature.
So does Grima Wormtongue in “The Lord of the Rings,” according to Oxford University Press analyses, with his sly words of manipulation.
Those characters capture SLUNK’s sense of stealth, and more broadly, connect the clue to cultural imagery.
A clue, in other words, that shares the same sneaky quality as Iago’s devious plotting, which makes it fun and memorable to solve.
Fun Fact: The weasel’s agility in hunting, which is often at night, is what makes it a good candidate for the sneaky behavior stereotype that’s optimal for this clue.
The Role of Animal Imagery in Crossword Clues
Although I will avoid using tigers in this article’s clues, animals make for many a metaphor when it comes to “black jaguars.” Weasels connote stealth, foxes slyness, and snakes deceit.
For example, “Sly as a fox: CUNNING” or “Slithery creature: SNAKE” are constructed similarly. Weasels, noted for their nocturnal nimbleness (according to National Geographic), give rise to clues like weasel-like in crosswords.
A clue such as “Quick like a cat: AGILE” fits this model. Recognizing these animal-based clues can help you become a better crossword solver, cracking even some of the most challenging clues from the New York Times crossword puzzle with ease.
Animal Clue Examples:
- “Sly as a fox: CUNNING”
- “Weasel’s sneak: SLUNK”
- “Cat-like grace: AGILE”
Common Mistakes When Solving “Crept Around in a Weaselly Way”
“Crept Around in a Weaselly Way” Today, we’re going to do a deep dive into the possible answers and solutions for the crossword clue “Crept around in a weaselly way.” Let’s take a look.
This clue is a particular stumbling block for solvers. Don’t make these mistakes when solving crossword clue wordplay:
- Tense error: Deciding to use SLINK (present) instead of SLUNK (past). Fix: Match “crept” tense.
- Letter Count ERROR: Attempting SNEAKED (7 letters) instead of a 5-letter answer for weaselly way clue. Fix: Count letters carefully.
- Misreading “Weaselly”: Perceiving as negative rather than stealthy. Fix: Concentrate your attention on sneaky-behavior synonyms, such as “sly.”
These tricks help keep you out of trouble and enhance your solving accuracy. For instance, a glance to ensure the tense guesstimate wasn’t past tense salvaged me from picking SLINK in a recent puzzle.
How to Use Crossword Solvers for Clues Like This
43 Stuck on: CREPT AROUND in a weaselly way NYT? Crossword solver apps to the rescue. Here’s how to use tools like Wordplay or Crossword Solver:
- Enter word here & you will get a 5-letter word: Type S _ K for the answer.
- Include Clue Context: Search “sneaky movement,” for example, for a solution.
- Review Games: SLUNK has to be number one.
Solvers can be helpful for NYT clues; tough solve crept around in a weaselly way, but complement it with manual practice for skill development. Tools assist beginners, and practice honing instincts.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros: Crossword clues unshackled from mundane concern, meant for stuck solvers.
- Cons: Overuse may impede skill-building.
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Conclusion
The crept around in a weaselly way is answered by SLUNK which means to move about in a sneaky, weasel-like manner.
This guide explains what SLUNK looks like, provides synonyms for SLUNK and uses in a sentence, and shows the NYT Mini crossword solving tricks that will help you get through similar clues. With literary weasels like Iago, through to solver tools, you’re now in a prime position to conquer NYTM.
You can always try our crossword solver to help you find the answers to any of the New York Times Crossword. Keep solving and enjoy challenging those clever clues!
FAQS
What is the answer to “Crept Around in a Weaselly Way”NYT clue?
SLUNK NYT Mini Crossword Clue Answer 5 letters August 28, 2024 _ slunk
What does SLUNK mean in the NYT crossword clue?
The past tense of “slink” is “slunk,” which could not be a better fit for the weaselly theme.
What are synonyms for SLUNK in crosswords?
SLUNK synonyms creeped, skulked(i), stole, sneaked, and sidled.
Why does SLUNK fit “Crept Around in a Weaselly Way”?
SLUNK works as a 5-letter past-tense verb for sneaky, weasel-like movement.
How to solve NYT Mini crossword clues like this?
Dissect wordplay, match verb tenses, and deploy sneaky movement synonyms like SLUNK.
