Acts Like A Braggart Crossword Clue
By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: Apr 19, 2025
Looking to solve the challenging Acts like a braggart crossword clue featured in the Apr 19, 2025 New York Times Mini puzzle? We've done the hard work and pinpointed the precise 6-letter answer you're looking for. For those seeking a more interactive puzzle-solving experience, we've developed engaging features to enhance your journey. Try revealing the solution gradually with our progressive letter reveal tool, or explore our carefully crafted hints—like a helpful anagram, an alternative clue sharing the same answer, or a detailed definition to guide your thinking. We've also made navigating related clues from the same puzzle simple, allowing you to solve multiple clues seamlessly. Ready to master this crossword challenge? Let's explore the solution together!
Crossword Answer:
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About This Clue
The April 19, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Acts like a braggart" with the answer BOASTS. This clue is asking for a verb that describes what someone does when they're bragging or showing off. A braggart is someone who talks excessively and pridefully about their accomplishments or possessions, and the verb that describes this action is "boasts." The clue is fairly straightforward, using the definition approach to lead solvers to the answer.
Language and Cultural Context
The verb "boast" comes from Middle English and has been in use for centuries to describe the act of speaking with excessive pride about oneself. In modern usage, it typically carries a negative connotation, as boasting is generally considered impolite or socially inappropriate in many cultures. The term "braggart" in the clue is a direct reference to someone who habitually boasts—essentially a synonym for "show-off" or "bragger." This clue relies on the solver recognizing this relationship between the noun "braggart" and the verb that describes what such a person does: "boasts."
NYT Mini Crossword Tips
When solving clues that describe behaviors or actions, consider what verb would best describe the action of the noun mentioned. In this case, the clue asks what action a braggart performs—which leads to the answer BOASTS. The Mini Crossword often uses this pattern, where the clue contains a noun and the answer is a related verb, or vice versa. Also, since this is a 6-letter answer, note that in the Mini Crossword such answers often span across multiple words or serve as important anchors in the puzzle. Pay attention to the tense as well—in this case, "Acts like" indicates a present tense verb, pointing to BOASTS rather than BOASTED.
Related Crossword Answers
BRAGS
Clue: "Talks oneself up"
SHOWOFF
Clue: "Braggart"
VAUNTS
Clue: "Displays proudly"
PREENS
Clue: "Displays oneself ostentatiously"
More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (April 19, 2025)
ACROSS
- 1. Subject of a song that ends "Next time won't you sing with me?"
- 5. Play at a loud volume
- 6. Totally convinced of
DOWN
Word Exploration: BOASTS
The word "boast" can function as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to talk with excessive pride about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities. As a noun, a "boast" refers to an expression of pride or self-glorification. The word has its origins in Middle English and has maintained its core meaning of "speaking proudly" for centuries.
In crossword puzzles, "boast" and its various forms (boasts, boasting, boasted) appear frequently, often clued in relation to bragging, showing off, or speaking pridefully. The six-letter form "BOASTS" makes it particularly useful for constructors working with moderately-sized grids like the NYT Mini.