You’re staring at the grid. The ink is drying on a few easy ones, but then you hit it: that makes sense crossword clue. Your brain immediately starts firing off synonyms. Logical? Clear? True? Maybe even "Duh." But crossword puzzles aren't exactly known for being straightforward. They're built on the back of linguistic trickery. If you've been stuck on this specific clue in the New York Times, the LA Times, or even a tricky indie puzzle like the AVCX, you know the frustration. It’s that itchy feeling where the answer is right on the tip of your tongue, yet it refuses to land on the page.
Crosswords are basically a game of "Guess what I'm thinking," played against a professional sadist—otherwise known as the constructor. When a clue asks for something "that makes sense," it isn't just asking for a definition. It's often looking for an idiomatic expression or a very specific grammatical fit.
The Most Common Answers for That Makes Sense
Usually, the answer is ADDS UP.
It’s a classic. Think about it. If a story doesn't "add up," it doesn't make sense. It’s a mathematical metaphor that has embedded itself so deeply in the English language that we barely notice it. If you have a five-letter space and the clue is "That makes sense," there is a 90% chance you're looking for ADDS UP.
But what if it's not? Sometimes the puzzle wants IT FIGURES. This one has a bit more sass to it. It’s what you say when something happens that confirms your existing suspicions, usually in a slightly negative way. "Oh, the car broke down right after the warranty expired? It figures." It makes sense in a cosmic, annoying sort of way.
Then there’s STANDS TO REASON. This one is the long-form version. You’ll see this in Sunday puzzles where the constructor has a lot of real estate to fill. It feels more formal, almost academic. If something stands to reason, it follows a logical progression of thought.
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Why Context Is Everything in Crosswords
Crossword construction isn't just about finding synonyms. It’s about the "part of speech" match. A common rule in the world of Will Shortz and other editors is that the clue and the answer must be interchangeable in a sentence.
If the clue is "That makes sense," and the answer is I SEE, try swapping them.
"The logic is clear, I see."
"The logic is clear, that makes sense."
It’s a bit of a stretch, but it works in specific conversational contexts.
Sometimes the clue is actually looking for an adjective. If the clue is "Makes sense," (note the lack of "that"), the answer might be LOGICAL or COHERENT. The presence or absence of a single word like "that" or "it" completely changes the target. It's the difference between a verb phrase and a descriptive word.
The Psychology of the "Aha!" Moment
There’s a reason we do these puzzles. It’s not just to prove we know things. It’s about the dopamine hit when the mental gears finally click into place. Researchers have actually studied this. A study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science suggests that the "Aha!" moment—the sudden insight—happens when the brain moves from a state of focused, unsuccessful searching to a more diffuse state of "broadening."
When you stop trying to force "logical" into a five-letter box and your brain relaxes, you suddenly realize that "adds up" fits perfectly with the "D" you got from a down clue.
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Honestly, crossword solvers are a unique breed. We enjoy the struggle. We like being tricked. When a constructor uses a clue like that makes sense crossword clue, they are counting on you to take the path of least resistance. They want you to think of "sane" or "clear" before you think of a phrasal verb.
The Weird Outliers
Don't forget the weird ones. Depending on the difficulty of the puzzle, you might run into:
- TENIBLE: Usually refers to an argument that "makes sense" or can be defended.
- RATIONAL: A bit more clinical.
- SOUND: As in a "sound argument."
- VALID: Often used in logic-heavy puzzles.
If you’re working on a British cryptic crossword, all bets are off. The clue "That makes sense" could be a pun involving pennies (cents) or something involving the five physical senses. Cryptics are a whole different beast where the literal meaning is almost never the actual goal.
How to Solve These Clues Faster
Stop looking at the clue in isolation. Seriously. If you’re stuck on a clue, the worst thing you can do is stare at it until your eyes glaze over. Crosswords are a grid for a reason.
- Check the crossings. If you have the second letter of a five-letter word and it's a "D," your brain should immediately scream "ADDS UP."
- Look for the "???" If a clue ends in a question mark, it means there’s a pun involved. "That makes sense?" might lead to something like SCENTS, referring to a perfume shop.
- Say it out loud. Sometimes our internal monologue is too rigid. When you say "that makes sense" out loud, you might hear the cadence of "it figures" or "I get it."
- Think about the "Era" of the puzzle. Older puzzles from the 80s or 90s (which you might find in archives) tend to use more formal language. Modern puzzles like the New Yorker or The Atlantic use much more conversational, "slangy" phrases.
The Evolution of Crossword Language
Crosswords have changed a lot. Back in the day, you’d see a lot of "crosswordese"—those words like OREO, ETUI, or ALOE that show up because they have a convenient vowel-to-consonant ratio.
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Today, constructors are more interested in "lively" language. They want the grid to sound like people actually talk. That’s why that makes sense crossword clue is such a popular choice for them. It allows for a variety of conversational phrases that make the puzzle feel fresh rather than dusty.
It’s also worth noting that different outlets have different "personalities." The Wall Street Journal puzzles often have a slightly more professional or pun-heavy bent. The NYT has a very specific progression of difficulty throughout the week. A Monday "That makes sense" is almost certainly ADDS UP. A Saturday version might be something much more obscure, like IS COGENT.
Real-World Examples from Recent Puzzles
In a recent USA Today puzzle, the clue "Makes sense" led to the answer ADDS UP. It was a straightforward Monday-level difficulty. However, in a trickier LA Times crossword, the answer was HOLDS WATER.
That’s a great example of an idiom. If an argument "holds water," it makes sense. It’s a vivid image—a vessel that isn't leaking—applied to the abstract concept of logic. If you were looking for a five-letter word and the answer was HOLDS WATER, you’d be in trouble. But for a ten-letter slot? It's a goldmine.
Another one I've seen is GETS IT.
"Do you understand the math?"
"Yeah, he gets it/that makes sense."
It’s a bit more of a stretch, but it appears often in puzzles that prioritize contemporary speech.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Puzzle
If you find yourself stuck on this clue again, take these steps immediately:
- Count the letters first. It sounds basic, but we often try to cram a 6-letter thought into a 5-letter space.
- Identify the tense. If the clue is "Made sense," the answer must be in the past tense (e.g., ADDUP becomes ADDED UP).
- Look at the "Downs." If you can't get the "Across," focus entirely on the vertical words that intersect it. Getting just one or two letters usually breaks the mental block.
- Use a "Word Finder" tool only as a last resort. If you're really hitting a wall, tools like OneLook allow you to search with patterns (like A_D_U_). It's not "cheating" if you're learning new patterns for the next time!
- Keep a mental list of "Phonetic Synonyms." Sometimes "sense" refers to "cents" (money) or "scents" (smells). Always be suspicious of the word "sense" in a crossword.
The next time you sit down with your morning coffee and the grid, remember that the constructor is trying to dance with you, not just defeat you. When you finally write in those letters and everything "adds up," the satisfaction is worth the five minutes of staring blankly at the page. Crosswords are a workout for your lateral thinking, and "that makes sense" is one of the best exercises in the gym.