This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, October 15, 2026 (49 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.
Answer length: 8 squares
First letter
O _ _ _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
O _ _ _ _ _ _ E
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About the answer
OPTIMIZE as a word: (transitive) To make (something) optimal; (transitive) To make (something) more efficient, such as a computer program.
OPTIMIZE 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
- One who's left, for short? (40 Across)
- Overzealous fan, in modern slang (41 Across)
- Paradise (42 Across)
- Big fuss (46 Across)
- Useful tips for writers? (51 Across)
- What's close to the bone? (53 Across)
- Possible translation of "y" (54 Across)
- One way to start a race … or a hint to understanding seven clues in this puzzle (55 Across)
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