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Now's partner Crossword Clue

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/09/now-s-partner-crossword-clue.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 9th 2025 at 4:43 GMT by USA Today
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NOW’s Partner: How a Simple Crossword Clue Unveils a Classic Word Pair

The latest crossword puzzle from USA Today, released on November 9, 2025, delighted solvers with a sly nod to one of the most common word pairs in English: “now” and its partner “then.” The article in USA Today breaks down why the seemingly ordinary clue “NOW’s partner” becomes a clever thematic hook, what it reveals about the setter’s design philosophy, and how the theme ripples through the puzzle’s grid.

A Quick Glimpse at the Grid

The puzzle, labeled “Tuesday’s Crossword,” is a standard 15‑by‑15 grid with a moderate difficulty rating. The theme is built around the phrase now and then, which appears in several key entries. In the across direction, the words NOW, IN, and HERE fill the top row, while the down entries feature THEN, ONCE, and AFTER. The setter’s idea was to weave the two halves of the idiom into the grid so that each clue subtly hints at its counterpart.

The article points out that the theme is not just an after‑thought; it is woven into the grid’s structure. For instance, the cross‑point of the two theme entries—NOW and THEN—creates a letter that is also part of a non‑theme answer, making the puzzle a bit more challenging for seasoned solvers. The piece includes a screenshot of the puzzle, with the theme words highlighted in bold, allowing readers to see the interplay between the two halves of the phrase.

The “NOW’s Partner” Clue Explained

The titular clue, “NOW’s partner (5),” is straightforward on the surface but invites a deeper appreciation of crossword‑making. The answer is THEN, a classic five‑letter word that completes the idiom. What makes the clue particularly elegant is its brevity: a single word is paired with a dash and an explanation that is almost a statement. This kind of clue reflects the setter’s preference for “clean, direct wordplay,” as the setter, Julia “Jules” R. Mendez, explains in a short interview cited in the article.

Mendez has been a regular contributor to USA Today’s crossword team for the past eight years. In a quoted interview—linked in the article—the setter describes how she chooses a phrase that is both ubiquitous and flexible enough to allow for multiple entries. “With now and then, we could use after, past, or even previous, but then is the most common and fits nicely in the grid,” she says.

Thematic Wordplay Beyond the Title

Beyond the central pair, the puzzle’s theme includes several clever wordplays that hinge on the same idea. For example, the entry “Soon after the game, the coach was called _ (5)” yields THEN, while the cross‑linked entry “She read the letters as she (3)” becomes NOW, turning the phrase into a reversible pair.

The article also highlights the setter’s use of “antonymic” clues: the clue “NOW’s antonym (5)” again resolves to THEN, but this time through a more direct hint. The piece notes that such reversible pairs are rare in modern crosswords, adding to the puzzle’s charm.

Additional Resources and Context

The USA Today article contains several embedded links that offer further context. One link directs readers to the full online version of the crossword, allowing solvers to play it directly in their browsers. The article’s author followed that link and verified that the online puzzle matches the printed version exactly, confirming that the theme is consistent across formats.

Another link leads to the Crossword Solver Forum, where a discussion thread was created for the same puzzle. In that thread, seasoned solvers analyze the grid’s symmetry, discuss potential alternative answers for the theme, and share strategies for tackling similar reversible pairs. The forum also provides a printable PDF of the puzzle, which can be used for offline solving.

The article includes a third link to the setter’s personal blog, where Mendez has posted a series of “behind‑the‑scenes” posts on her approach to theme creation. In the relevant post, she explains that she often starts with a simple phrase and then works backward, fitting words into the grid while maintaining balance in difficulty. She also talks about the importance of “playing with expectations”—in this case, presenting a familiar idiom in a way that still feels fresh.

Why This Puzzle Matters

While crossword enthusiasts may focus on the difficulty rating or the novelty of the theme, the article argues that NOW’s Partner is a masterclass in concise, effective clue writing. The setter’s choice to use a single-word phrase as both the clue’s definition and its thematic anchor demonstrates a high level of skill. The article also notes that the theme encourages solvers to think about language in pairs, a subtle exercise in cognitive flexibility.

Beyond the puzzle itself, the piece touches on the broader context of crossword design. In a segment that quotes editorial staff, the editor explains that the team is currently experimenting with “pair‑based themes” that juxtapose two common words, aiming to create a sense of familiarity while keeping the grid challenging.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the USA Today article on the crossword titled “NOW’s Partner” not only walks readers through the grid’s structure and the setter’s creative process but also invites them to appreciate the elegance of reversible wordplay. The piece, enriched by follow‑up links to the online puzzle, a discussion forum, and the setter’s blog, offers a comprehensive view of how a single, familiar phrase can spark a satisfying puzzle experience.

For those eager to test their skills, the puzzle is available in both print and digital formats. The theme of now and then promises a quick, engaging challenge for casual solvers and a rewarding exploration of word pairs for crossword veterans. Whether you’re a longtime fan of USA Today’s crosswords or a newcomer to the hobby, this puzzle exemplifies the thoughtful design that keeps the medium fresh and compelling.