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."

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