Quick Answer
Clue: “Abruptly stop texting”
Answer: GHOST
Length: 5 letters
Position: 1-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Abruptly stop texting” is answered with GHOST.
Why “GHOST” Is the Right NYT Answer
- In modern slang, to ghost someone means to suddenly stop responding to their messages or calls without explanation. That’s exactly what “abruptly stop texting” describes, so GHOST is a perfect fit.
- The clue uses a simple definition in everyday language, with no wordplay just a direct link from behavior (stopping texting) to the term that names that behavior (ghosting).
What “GHOST” Means in Plain English
- Beyond its literal meaning as a spirit, ghost as a verb means to cut off communication by ignoring someone’s messages, often in dating or friendship contexts.
- Here, the crossword is clearly using that verb sense: if you “ghost” someone, you abruptly stop texting them back.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Variants
- At 1-Across, GHOST fills five squares as G–H–O–S–T. Once you have a couple of crossing letters, you may see a pattern like G _ O S T, which makes GHOST almost inevitable.
- This entry can reappear under clues such as “Cut off contact, in modern slang,” “Suddenly stop replying,” or “Ignore texts, say.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- Watch for clues that hint at texting, DMs, or social media; they often use modern slang answers like GHOST, UNFOLLOW, or BLOCK.
- When the clue has a casual, contemporary tone (“abruptly stop texting,” “suddenly stop replying”), think of short, trendy verbs that fit the grid length.
Keeping up with current slang helps a lot in newer NYT puzzles, which frequently draw on online and dating vocabulary.
