You know that feeling. You're sitting there with your morning coffee, the grid is nearly full, but there is that one stubborn corner. You have the "B," the "G," and the "D," but the middle feels like a swamp. When you finally see the answer for a begrudged nyt crossword clue, you don't feel a sense of triumph. You feel a tiny surge of annoyance. It’s that specific "aha" moment that feels more like a "seriously?"
Crossword puzzles are basically a contract between the constructor and the solver. We agree to play by the rules of wordplay, and they agree not to be totally unfair. But sometimes, the NYT—under the watchful eye of editor Will Shortz or digital editors like Joel Fagliano—pushes the boundaries of what "fair" looks like.
The Linguistic Knot: RESENTED vs. ENVIED
Usually, when you see a clue for "begrudged," your brain jumps to a few specific synonyms. The most common answer in the New York Times archives for this specific prompt is RESENTED. It fits the vibe. It’s seven letters. It’s clean.
But here’s where things get tricky. English is a mess.
Depending on the day of the week, the difficulty spikes. A Monday puzzle might give you a direct synonym. By Saturday, they’re using the secondary, more archaic definition. Did you know that to begrudge can also mean to give or concede reluctantly? This leads us to answers like GAVE or STINTED.
If you’re looking at a three-letter slot, you might be looking at ATE. Why? Because if you "ate" your words, you might have done so begrudgingly. It’s a stretch, sure. But that’s the New York Times style. They love a lateral move.
Why We Get Stuck on This One
Most of us use "begrudge" in a very narrow sense. We think of it as being jealous. "I begrudge him his success." But the word actually carries a double weight. It’s about the feeling of ill will and the act of withholding.
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I’ve seen solvers get absolutely hammered on a Thursday puzzle because the clue was "Begrudged" and the answer was ENVIED. People argued in the forums—places like Wordplay or Rex Parker’s blog—that envying and begrudging aren’t the same thing. They’re cousins, not twins.
Basically, to envy is to want what someone else has. To begrudge is to think they shouldn't have it in the first place. It’s a subtle distinction, but in the world of high-stakes puzzling, it’s the difference between a gold star and a broken streak.
Famous Appearances in the Grid
The NYT Crossword has used variations of this clue hundreds of times over the decades. It’s a "bread and butter" word for constructors because it contains a lot of common letters—E, R, S, and T. These are "Wheel of Fortune" letters. They help bridge the gaps between more difficult proper nouns.
In a 2018 puzzle, the clue was simply "Begrudged." The answer? MINDED.
In 2021, it appeared as "Begrudged, in a way." The answer? GRUDGED.
That last one is what we call a "dupe-adjacent" clue. It feels like cheating when the answer is basically a shortened version of the clue itself. It’s a bit of a letdown. You want something clever, not a dictionary entry with the prefix chopped off.
The Role of Cross-Referencing
If you are stuck on a begrudged nyt crossword clue, stop looking at the clue. Seriously.
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Look at the crosses.
If you have a 10-letter answer and the clue is "Begrudged," you’re almost certainly looking at GRUDGINGLY or something involving the suffix -NESS. However, if it’s a short four-letter word, check for ENVY.
The NYT is famous for its "misdirection." They might use a verb as a clue that looks like an adjective. This is how they get you. You’re looking for a word that describes a person, but they’re looking for the action that person took.
I remember one specific Saturday grid where the clue was "Was begrudging." The answer was STINTED. Now, "stint" is a word we usually associate with time or a specific task, but its root is all about being frugal or stingy. If you stint someone, you are begrudging them their share. It’s a deep cut. It requires a bit of a "dictionary brain."
Tips for Tackling the "NYT Style"
Crossword veterans know that the New York Times has its own internal logic. It’s a dialect. Once you speak it, the clues become easier.
- Check the Tense: If the clue is "Begrudged" (past tense), the answer must be past tense (Resented, Envied, Minded).
- Look for Hidden Indicators: If there’s a question mark at the end of the clue ("Begrudged?"), it means there’s a pun or a non-literal meaning involved.
- The "Era" Factor: Older puzzles (pre-2000) tend to use more obscure, formal synonyms. Modern puzzles are more likely to use "Begrudged" as a way to get to a conversational word like HATED.
Don't let the grid beat you. It's just letters. If you're staring at a blank space, walk away. Your brain keeps working on the problem in the background. It’s called incubation. You’ll come back ten minutes later, look at the clue, and "RESENTED" will jump out at you like it was there the whole time.
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Honestly, the best way to get better at this is just volume. Solve more puzzles. You start to see the patterns. You start to realize that "Begrudged" is just a placeholder for a handful of recurring answers that constructors love.
Moving Toward a Perfect Solve
The next time you hit a begrudged nyt crossword clue, take a breath. Don't just type in the first synonym you know. Look at the letter count. Look at the crosses. Most importantly, look for the trick. Is it asking for the feeling or the action?
If you’re still hitting a wall, use a tool like the NYT Crossword Wordplay column. They break down the logic of the day’s puzzle every single morning. It’s a great way to learn why an answer is what it is, rather than just cheating for the sake of finishing.
Understanding the "why" is what turns a casual solver into a pro. It makes the next puzzle that much more satisfying.
Final Strategy for Your Next Puzzle
Stop trying to force "Envied" into a "Resented" space. If you're down to the last few squares and you're still stuck on a variation of begrudge, check your vowels. Usually, an "E" or an "I" in the second or third position will tip the scales. If you see a "U," you're likely dealing with "Grudged."
Keep your dictionary app handy for the weird outliers like "Stinted" or "Griped," and remember that the NYT loves to play with your expectations of how a word is used in daily life versus its formal definition.