If you’re solving a New York Times (NYT) crossword puzzle and come across the clue “Tousle as hair” you might be wondering about the correct answer. This type of clue often refers to words related to messing up ruffling or disheveling hair.
This topic explores the possible answers their meanings and tips to help you solve similar crossword puzzles more efficiently.
1. What Does “Tousle” Mean?
Before jumping into the crossword answers let’s break down the word “tousle.”
A. Definition of Tousle
- The verb “tousle” means to make something especially hair messy or untidy.
- It suggests a light casual disheveling of hair often done playfully or naturally.
B. Common Synonyms for Tousle
Some words that have similar meanings to “tousle” include:
- Ruffle
- Dishevel
- Muss
- Tangle
- Scruff
These words are likely to appear in crossword puzzles related to messing up hair.
2. Possible NYT Crossword Answers for “Tousle as Hair”
If you’re working on a NYT crossword puzzle the answer for “Tousle as hair” could be one of the following:
A. MUSS (4 Letters)
- “Muss” means to mess up or make untidy often used for hair or clothing.
- This is one of the most common answers to this clue in crosswords.
B. RUFFLE (6 Letters)
- “Ruffle” means to disturb the smoothness of something like hair.
- This word is often used in crossword puzzles with clues about disordering or slightly disturbing a surface.
C. DISHEVEL (8 Letters)
- “Dishevel” directly means to make untidy or messy.
- Though longer this word fits when there are 8 spaces in the crossword grid.
D. TOUSLE (6 Letters)
- The word “tousle” itself is sometimes used as an answer.
- If the crossword clue is “Make hair messy” “tousle” might be the perfect fit.
E. TEASE (5 Letters)
- “Tease” can also mean to mess with hair especially when styling.
- It is commonly used in hairstyling to create volume or texture.
3. How to Solve Similar Crossword Clues Efficiently
If you’re struggling to find the correct word here are some helpful strategies:
A. Check the Number of Letters
- Look at how many spaces are available in the crossword grid.
- Compare this with possible answers like “muss” (4) “tease” (5) “ruffle” (6) or “dishevel” (8).
B. Consider Other Crossword Clues
- Cross-referencing intersecting words can help narrow down possible answers.
- If a word shares letters with another answer use that as a guide.
C. Look for Synonyms in Clues
- If the crossword clue contains words like “mess up” “disorder” or “scruff up” then the answer likely relates to tousling hair.
D. Think of Everyday Words
- Many crossword clues use common words rather than obscure vocabulary.
- Simple words like “muss” and “ruffle” often appear in puzzles.
4. Tousled Hair in Everyday Life
The concept of tousling hair appears in different contexts:
A. Casual or Natural Look
- Many people wake up with naturally tousled hair that looks slightly messy but stylish.
B. Fashion and Hairstyles
- Tousled hairstyles are a popular trend giving a relaxed and effortless appearance.
C. Wind and Activity
- Hair often gets tousled by the wind or through physical activities like running or dancing.
5. Crossword Clues Similar to “Tousle as Hair”
If you enjoy crossword puzzles you might also encounter similar clues such as:
- “Mess up as hair” → MUSS RUFFLE TOUSLE
- “Tangle as hair” → SNARL KNOT
- “Disorderly hair” → BEDHEAD FRIZZ
These words often relate to hair and styling making them useful for crossword solvers.
The best answer for “Tousle as hair” in the NYT Crossword depends on the number of letters needed. Common answers include “MUSS” (4 letters) “RUFFLE” (6 letters) “TOUSLE” (6 letters) and “DISHEVEL” (8 letters).
By understanding synonyms checking letter counts and using crossword-solving strategies you can easily find the right answer.
Next time you see a similar crossword clue you’ll be ready to solve it with confidence!