"I ___ been a contender!" Crossword Clue

We have the 6-letter answer for "I ___ been a contender!" crossword clue, last seen in the NYT Crossword March 9, 2026 puzzle. This answer will help you finish the puzzle you’re working on.

"I ___ been a contender!" Crossword Answer

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Helpful Hints

Hint 1: Clue Definition

CONTENDER (noun)
1. the contestant you hope to defeat

More NYT Crossword (3/9/2026) Answers

Across

1. Constellation word before Major or Minor

5. Something to blow off or let off

10. "So-o-o cute!"

13. Western defense grp.

15. Lead-in to natal or nuptial

16. *Outdoor sport with sticks (1979, 1984)

18. Gentle touch

19. Letters for a mind reader

20. Grunt from a pigpen

21. Athlete's representative

23. Take weapons away from

25. *Period for Fred, Wilma and Pebbles (2016, 2023)

28. More in-your-business

30. Encourages to buy a more expensive model, say

31. Ernest Hemingway's "To Have and Have ___"

32. Monster of folk tales

34. Goal for collectors

35. *Temporary guest from a canine shelter (1988, 1991)

39. Oscars airer

42. Pencils down

43. Double-decker, e.g.

45. Strings along

48. Some steaks

51. *Popular fruit dessert (2001)

53. Rebel as a group

55. Zimbalist Jr. of "77 Sunset Strip"

56. Plastic Ono Band's "Happy ___ (War Is Over)"

58. Network for "The Wire" and "Euphoria"

59. Birthplace of the bossa nova, informally

60. Academy Award category ... or a hint to the starts of the answers to the starred clues

64. Vietnamese holiday with a palindromic name

65. Baltimore baseball pro

66. Colorful body part ... or a colorful flower

67. "___ gratia artis" (classic MGM motto)

68. Chicken noodle scoop

69. Heredity unit

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Down

1. Like expired parking meters

2. __ bran

3. Bobby, Peter or Greg, to Carol Brady

4. Internet pioneer

5. "Coming ___ to a theater near you!"

6. Partner of nips

7. Relative of a reindeer

8. Suffix with lemon or orange

9. Ancient Central American pyramid builders

10. They go to a higher court

11. Round up, as cattle

12. Receiving the most rain

14. Grandfather clock sound

17. Piquant triangular chip

22. "Gosh!"

24. Starting on

26. Small castle tower

27. Guest opinion column

29. Corkscrew-shaped pasta

33. Opal or ruby

36. Enough already!

37. Double-reed woodwind player

38. Biceps, boastfully

39. Canadian province north of Montana

40. More brawny

41. Bugs Bunny's supply

44. 'Now, you listen to me . . .'

46. Beats by ___ (headphone brand)

47. Word with sex or status

49. Support for a knee or a neck

50. Enters a game at the half, say

52. Praise enthusiastically

54. Group assisting a sheriff

57. Like a bull or buck

61. Memorable period

62. Caesar of old comedy

63. 18-wheeler

All Answers