This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 (38 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Tuesday puzzles are a step up from Monday but still mostly straightforward.
How to read this clue
The question mark warns of wordplay. Expect a pun or a second meaning rather than a straight definition.
Answer length: 8 squares
First letter
N _ _ _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
N _ _ _ _ _ _ D
Show the answer
About the answer
NEATENED as a word: (transitive) To make (someone or something) neat; to arrange (people or things) in an orderly, tidy way; to tidy; (intransitive) To engage in activity that arranges someone or something in an orderly, tidy way.
NEATENED has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
More clues from this puzzle
- Hotel request (32 Down)
- Scanned lines, for short (34 Down)
- "If you ___ stand the heat ..." (36 Down)
- Crossed (out) (37 Down)
- Band with the 6x platinum album "American Idiot" (39 Down)
- Pit stop refill (43 Down)
- Subject of a saying about new tricks (44 Down)
- Infer (from) (45 Down)
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