“Precursor to a clarifying remark” crossword clue

Reveal the answer to see why it works and where this clue has appeared before.IMEAN is the answer to the New York Times crossword clue “Precursor to a clarifying remark”. It was last seen in the puzzle of August 24, 2025, where it runs at 45 Down and fills 5 squares. It crosses 5 other entries in that grid — those are listed below and are the quickest way to confirm the letters you already have.