Direct a smile toward Crossword Clue

We have the 6-letter answer for Direct a smile toward crossword clue, last seen in the NYT Crossword May 17, 2026 puzzle. This answer will help you finish the puzzle you’re working on.

Direct a smile toward Crossword Answer

↓23.

Find more clues, hints, and info below.

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Helpful Hints

Hint 1: Clue Definitions

DIRECT (verb)
1. plan and direct (a complex undertaking)
2. take somebody somewhere
DIRECT (adjective)
1. having no intervening persons, agents, conditions
2. in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child
DIRECT (adverb)
1. without deviation
SMILE (noun)
1. a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
SMILE (verb)
1. change one’s facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
2. express with a smile

Hint 2: Anagram

Unscramble the letters below to solve for today's answer.
GRATIN

More NYT Crossword (5/17/2026) Answers

Across

1. Snag

7. Italian sparkling wine

11. John ___, personification of Objectivism, for Ayn Rand

15. Code for Queens-landers?

18. ___ polaris

19. Intl. group formed in 1945

20. Purple dish eaten with a spoon

22. Lottery commission?

24. Prison terms?

25. Smell, e.g.

26. University of Alabama rallying cry

28. President's middle name (accented on the first syllable) or California city (accented on the second)

29. Shower stall?

31. Slanted type (Abbr.)

32. Get one's feet wet?

36. Dir. from St. Paul to Duluth

37. Guido ___, Baroque painter from Bologna

38. Automates?

42. How mashed avocado might be served

45. Acquire, in a way

47. "Yep, noticed that"

48. Battle cry

49. PC IDs

52. What regular customers pay less for?

53. A good Wordle starting word, by the looks of it

54. When Memorial Day is observed

55. Grim Grimm character

56. Trounce

58. Bamboozled

59. Upscale shirtmaker

60. Symbol of the American West

63. Former

65. Yellow submarine?

69. Infantile

72. Prepares

73. Put on the line?

77. Mien

78. Surname for a family of fictional Kansans

80. One whose pride can be protective

81. "___ a stinker?" (Bugs Bunny line)

82. Affect emotionally

84. Cologne conjunction

86. Freight weight

87. Stolen base?

89. Pelvic parts

90. Love, in Lyon

92. Bit of flooring for a patio, say

94. Blood vessel

96. Page (through)

99. Org. for pugilists

100. Go downhill, in a way

101. Pizzeria in “Do the Right Thing”

102. Fire starter?

105. Showy kind of push-up

108. Salty cheese made from sheep's milk

109. Creature-friendly org.

114. Padlock?

116. Confidence men?

118. Rock-bottom review

119. 1957 #1 hit for Debbie Reynolds

120. Demonstrate complete disrespect for, in a way

121. What a clear plastic bag is not

122. Right now!

123. 'Your point being . . .'

124. Roxane's beloved, in classic literature

All Answers

Down

1. Roams about

2. Entice

3. Country with many Farsi speakers

4. They often have AAA backing

5. Colonial news source

6. Iconic role for Harrison Ford

7. "You've Really Got ___ on Me" (1960s hit)

8. Deck application

9. Proverbial slowpoke

10. Iconic role for Harrison Ford

11. Display amazement, in a way

12. Star pitcher

13. Mechanism for local funding

14. Feature of the tone-deaf

15. ___ Linda (San Bernardino suburb)

16. Verdon of "Damn Yankees"

17. In addition

19. Steakhouse orders

21. Alternative to a bouncy house

27. Fizzling out

30. Erelong

31. Skating exhibitions

32. "Holy moly!"

33. Before, in Bordeaux

34. Skin: Prefix

35. Misjudgment

39. Japanese beer brand

40. Crazylegs Hirsch, from 1949 to 1957, informally

41. Greta Garbo, by birth

43. T-Swift, by another nickname

44. Bouncing character in "The House at Pooh Corner"

46. Yep's opposite

50. Trim

51. Seasoning from the ocean

53. What some houses are built on

55. Cask wood

57. Prefix with "form" or "verse"

60. Inept sorts

61. One source of news

62. Burger toppers

64. Savings banks

66. Lofty

67. "Life ___ beach"

68. Home for an 80-Across

69. Printing technique that uses wax

70. Garlicky spread

71. Bear

74. Packed like sardines, say

75. It's a wrap

76. Passed, as bad checks

79. Brian in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

81. Experienced a bit of turnover?

83. Mary ___, "The Boating Party" artist

85. Sweet, in Seville

87. Schmooze

88. Back in the day

90. Malady?

91. Do something because of

93. A score

95. Pollster Lou or singer Emmylou

97. Polar wear

98. Discussion sites

103. ___ Beach, Calif.

104. Hoarse

105. Fail to mention

106. Intl. group formed in 1949

107. Online marketplace with personalized gifts

108. (Hey there!)

110. Awaken

111. Creature-friendly org.

112. Prefix in many Ocean Spray drink names

113. Regarding

115. Reggae relative

117. Gamecocks' sch.

All Answers