___ by the rules (follow protocol) Crossword Clue

We have the 5-letter answer for ___ by the rules (follow protocol) crossword clue, last seen in the Daily Themed Crossword February 28, 2026 puzzle. This answer will help you finish the puzzle you’re working on.

___ by the rules (follow protocol) Crossword Answer

→46.

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Helpful Hints

(verb)
1. put up with something or somebody unpleasant
2. dwell

Hint 2: Clue Definitions

PROTOCOL (noun)
1. (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
2. code of correct conduct
FOLLOW (verb)
1. be later in time
2. follow in or as if in pursuit

More Daily Themed Crossword (2/28/2026) Answers

Across

1. Shaggy Tibetan ox

4. Leatherworker's hole-punching tool (anagram of "law")

7. Unhappy

10. Hollywood's country: Abbr.

11. Lawyer's charge

12. "The ___ La La Song" (song by The Banana Splits)

13. ___ Cooper ("small" BMW car)

15. Mai __ cocktail

16. Bit of paperwork that needs to be filled out

17. "I couldn't ___ more!" ("Amen!")

19. Main antagonist and ruler of Mordor in "The Lord of the Rings," whose "burning" gaze is ever-fixed on Middle-earth

21. British noble

23. Staff on an airplane

24. ___ Wendy Pleakley, character from "Lilo & Stitch" tasked with tracking down Experiment 626 on Earth

27. Durham school: Abbr.

29. "First ___, first served"

30. Enjoy a piece of Orbit or Trident, say: 2 wds.

35. Tater ___ (potato dish)

36. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, e.g.

38. '___ goes nothing!'

39. Drip lines in the ER: Abbr.

40. Turanga ___, character from "Futurama" who is a competent captain and pilot of the Planet Express spaceship

41. Film director's do-over

45. Day following Monday, for short

47. The ___, mythological character from Disney's "Hercules" who serves Hades in his battle against Hercules

51. Cabbage kin that’s a popular smoothie ingredient

52. What Noah built

53. "___ good deed" ("Help someone"): 2 wds.

54. Organ of vision ... or what the characters at 19a, 24a, 40a, 47a, 3d, and 36d famously have only one of

55. Pick up the tab, say

56. Like a room in need of a humidifier

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Down

1. "This food is delicious!"

2. India's continent

3. ___ and Kodos, characters from "The Simpsons" who are alien siblings from the planet Rigel VII

4. "... and they lived happily ever ___" (fairy tale ending words)

5. "Aren't ___ cute couple?": 2 wds.

6. Floral garlands from Hawaii

7. Walmart or Macy's, e.g.

8. What Cupid shoots from a bow

9. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a ___" (line from "Gone with the Wind")

14. ___ Adler who outsmarted Sherlock Holmes

16. Animal's warm coat

18. Enjoy a box of chocolates, say

20. Tooth or ear trouble

22. “Star Wars” director George

24. Step into a role

25. Sticky substance

26. 911 respondent: Abbr.

28. Organization with Blackhawks and Rangers: Abbr.

31. "___ of Fortune" (game show created by Merv Griffin)

32. Sound of the seventh letter

33. Clickable internet address: Abbr.

34. "Tell ___ bedtime story!" (child's request, maybe): 2 wds.

36. ___ Wazowski, character from "Monsters, Inc." who is famous for his humor and friendship with Sulley

37. Wall-E's girlfriend

40. Like a rabbit's foot or four-leaf clover, in superstition

41. Gardening tool with teeth

42. Online auction house

43. Scrabble square?

44. Suffix with "Gator" for a popular drink

45. ___ Banks, former "America's Got Talent" host

47. Ballplayer's hat

48. Not even a bit even?

49. ___ favor (Spanish for “please”)

50. Articulate

All Answers