12 Across
NYT Daily • August 10, 2025
Make easier to swallow
Answer:
CHEW
Hint:
Break down food in your mouth before you swallow it.
Explanation:
The clue "Make easier to swallow" hints at the action of chewing, which breaks down food into smaller pieces. It plays on the literal meaning of making food easier to swallow by chewing it thoroughly. The answer "CHEW" fits because it directly describes this process in a straightforward way.