Metaphor for a challenging puzzle Crossword Clue

We have the 8-letter answer for Metaphor for a challenging puzzle crossword clue, last seen in the NYT Crossword February 19, 2026 puzzle. Sometimes we all need some help finding the answer!

Metaphor for a challenging puzzle Crossword Answer

↓3.

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Hint 1: Clue Definitions

CHALLENGING (adjective)
1. requiring full use of your abilities or resources
2. stimulating interest or thought
METAPHOR (noun)
1. a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

More NYT Crossword (2/19/2026) Answers

Across

1. Punk rocker Joan

5. Choctaw or Chickasaw

10. Design detail

14. "Up and ___!" (catchphrase for a physicist)

15. In possession of

17. Tibetan title

18. Courting disaster, slangily

21. Fraternity party order

22. Symbol of protection

23. Part of a window above the apron

24. One-half of a golf partnership, perhaps

25. Sound of disapproval

27. Concludes

29. Uses a shampoo bottle as a microphone, perhaps

34. Swindled

35. Boxing champ Laila

36. Subject of the Edward Snowden leaks, in brief

37. Jot down

38. Makes a noise like an electric fan

40. Australian actor Eric

44. __ Father

46. Concert souvenir

47. River to the Rio Grande

48. They may have knowledge of corporate secrets

51. Be defeated by

52. ___ of the D'Urbervilles

53. "Big" name in London

54. Big beginning?

56. Servant of Sauron in "The Lord of the Rings"

57. Short flight

60. Better choice, given the options … or the circled squares vis-à-vis the shaded ones?

64. Volunteer's words

65. Completely immersed, perhaps

66. Some colorful plastic items in the seasonal aisle in the spring

67. Noted Punxsutawney resident

68. Source of some aerial shots

69. Take ___

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Down

1. Part of a royal flush

2. Raison d'___

4. "Eww … just eww"

5. Want very much, with "for"

6. Major, e.g.

7. Reproductive option, for short

8. Some paragraphs in playbills

9. Improve

10. High-end camera, for short

11. Penniless one

12. Mideast leaders

13. Spot to play baccarat

16. Gas units

19. Talking back to

20. Is really bad, in slang

26. Formed from molten lava

28. Sunken treasure sites

29. You can request a new one on religious grounds if it contains "666": Abbr.

30. 'What was __ think?'

31. "Yeah, right"

32. Ruling class

33. Fathers

38. Dickens and Dickinson

39. Varnish ingredient

41. Card game clarification

42. Neither's partner

43. Buffoon

45. "I'm at your disposal"

47. Bishop, e.g.

48. Japanese word that's sometimes translated as "planted in a pot"

49. Commentator's call after a missed field goal

50. Took steps

51. Medieval cure-all

53. Radar operator's concern

55. Over yonder

56. Wilson of the Frat Pack

58. Actress Kurylenko

59. “Over here!”

61. Sketch show with Colin Jost, in brief

62. Fight-ending letters

63. Screen, as a candidate

All Answers