26 Across
NYT Daily • August 15, 2025
Didn't follow
Answer:
LED
Hint:
Think of guiding someone in the opposite direction of "followed."
Explanation:
"Didn’t follow" hints at the opposite of following—leading instead. The word "led" sounds like the past tense of "lead," meaning to guide or go first, which fits the idea of not following. It’s a clever play on direction, where "led" (as in "took the lead") contrasts with the literal act of following."