This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Monday, September 21, 2026 (27 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Monday puzzles are the easiest of the week, so the clue is likely a plain definition.
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: 4 squares
First letter
T _ _ _
First and last letters
T _ _ S
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About the answer
TARS as a word: (usually uncountable) A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons derived from organic materials such as wood, peat, or coal; (transitive) To coat with tar.
TARS has been an answer 4 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since December 4, 2025.
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