“Apt clue for the circled letters” crossword clue
Answer
T
O
P
R
A
N
K
I
N
G
R
O
Y
A
L
•••••••••••••••TOPRANKINGROYAL
Reveal the answer to see why it works and where this clue has appeared before.TOPRANKINGROYAL is the answer to the New York Times crossword clue “Apt clue for the circled letters”. It was last seen in the puzzle of June 29, 2025, where it runs at 22 Across and fills 15 squares. It crosses 15 other entries in that grid — those are listed below and are the quickest way to confirm the letters you already have. This exact clue has run 7 times in NYT puzzles, first on June 29, 2025.
Crossing entries
Jun 29, 2025 grid1D"So what's ___ you?"4 ltrs›2DInitialism directed at the overly inquisitive4 ltrs›3DThings you hope your dinner guests bring9 ltrs›4DAlternatives to cabernets7 ltrs›5DCopenhagen language, to locals5 ltrs›6DWoman who is told "Don't Lose That Number" in a Steely Dan title5 ltrs›7DThe D-backs, on sports tickers3 ltrs›8D"I'll take 'Crossword Clues' for $2,000, please, ___!"3 ltrs›9DBit of work3 ltrs›10DEight more than a dozen5 ltrs›11DNonprofessionals6 ltrs›12DFertilized ones become embryos3 ltrs›13DCome together3 ltrs›23DAfflicts4 ltrs›24DLike a $2 bill4 ltrs›
Every appearance
7 puzzlesDatePuzzlePositionAnswer
Jun 29, 2025NYT Crossword22 Across•••••••••••••••TOPRANKINGROYALJun 29, 2025NYT Crossword29 Across•••••••••••••••••••TOLKIENTREECREATUREJun 29, 2025NYT Crossword46 Across•••••••••••••••••NINETIMESOUTOFTENJun 29, 2025NYT Crossword63 Across•••••••••••••••••••••PACIFISTSRENOUNCEMENTJun 29, 2025NYT Crossword84 Across•••••••••••••••••OURHOMENEARTHESUNJun 29, 2025NYT Crossword99 Across•••••••••••••••••••CASTAREALLYLONGLOOKJun 29, 2025NYT Crossword110 Across•••••••••••••••MOUSEERADICATOROther answers for this clue
Across all puzzles we index•••••••••••••••TOPRANKINGROYAL15 ltrs
•••••••••••••••••••TOLKIENTREECREATURE19 ltrs
•••••••••••••••••NINETIMESOUTOFTEN17 ltrs
•••••••••••••••••••••PACIFISTSRENOUNCEMENT21 ltrs
•••••••••••••••••OURHOMENEARTHESUN17 ltrs
•••••••••••••••••••CASTAREALLYLONGLOOK19 ltrs
•••••••••••••••MOUSEERADICATOR15 ltrs
Clues repeat across publications with different fills. If your grid needs a different length, one of these usually fits.
Back to the full Jun 29, 2025 answer list, or browse the puzzle archive.