New York, July 4, 2025 — The New York Times Crossword, a cultural touchstone for puzzle enthusiasts for over 80 years, continues to spark discussion, confusion, and the occasional laughter over its quirky clues and answers. This week, a mix of culinary references and cosmic wordplay has solvers talking — and sniffing.
“Foul-Smelling” and “Big Brand of Hummus” — Crossword Food Trends
In a recent NYT Crossword puzzle, the clue "Foul-smelling" had many solvers wrinkling their noses before arriving at the answer: "Rank." While a simple and accurate synonym, its pungent implications stirred up chuckles and a few social media jokes.
Meanwhile, another clue — “Big brand of hummus” — brought flavor into the grid. The correct answer? “Sabra,” one of the most widely recognized names in the U.S. hummus market. Known for its creamy chickpea spreads and spicy varieties, Sabra's appearance in the puzzle highlighted the crossword’s embrace of contemporary food culture.
“It’s Full of Stars” — A Cosmic Crossword Moment
Another clue that recently had solvers looking to the skies was “It’s full of stars” — a reference that left room for poetic and cinematic interpretation. The answer: “Space.”
This particular clue delighted fans of both astronomy and cinema, as it's famously quoted in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Crossword solvers appreciated the layered meaning — a hallmark of the NYT Crossword’s clever construction.
The NYT Crossword: More Than Just a Puzzle
Every day, the NYT Crossword brings a wide range of trivia, culture, wordplay, and humor to readers worldwide. Constructed by some of the most skilled puzzlemakers in the industry — and curated by longtime editor Will Shortz (and now alongside associate editors like Sam Ezersky) — the puzzle continues to challenge vocabulary, trivia knowledge, and pattern recognition.
Frequent solvers know that themes, puns, rebuses, and even emojis are increasingly part of the evolving format. Whether it’s a foul-smelling answer, a hummus brand, or a nod to the universe, each clue is a small work of art.
Trending NYT Crossword Clues This Week
Here are a few of the most talked-about NYT crossword clues in recent puzzles:
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“Foul-smelling” – Rank
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“Big brand of hummus” – Sabra
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“It’s full of stars” – Space
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“Like some memes or TikToks” – Viral
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“Prefix with skeleton” – Endo
From the mundane to the metaphysical, the crossword never fails to stir the imagination.