This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, August 27, 2026 (41 Across). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
How to read this clue
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue: the answer completes the phrase, title or quotation.
Answer length: 3 squares
First letter
A _ _
Show the answer
About the answer
ALI as a word: A male given name from Arabic; (Islam) The Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, considered by Shias to be Muhammad's first successor (imam).
ALI has been an answer 21 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since November 30, 2025.
Other clues with the same answer
- Subject of the 1996 documentary "When We Were Kings"
- Greatest guy?
- 2001 biopic starring Will Smith
- Wong of Netflix's "Beef"
- He was né Clay
- Who said "I'm so mean I make medicine sick"
- Actor Mahershala
- Estrange
- Athlete who's the subject of a museum in Louisville
- Most common last name in Somalia
- Boxing champ Laila
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More clues from this puzzle
- Go the other way (35 Across)
- Not just my (36 Across)
- Loaded with energy (37 Across)
- When doubled, first name in classic Hollywood (40 Across)
- Daughter of Saturn, in Roman myth (42 Across)
- Just sat around (43 Across)
- One sitting on a coop board? (45 Across)
- Colombian offerings that may be served with hogao (46 Across)
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