18 Across

NYT Daily • August 16, 2025

Pull

Answer:

SWAY

Hint:

Think of how a tree might move gently in a breeze.

Explanation:

"Pull" here is a clever hint for "sway" because it’s playing with the idea of physical influence—like how you might pull something to make it move or lean in a certain direction. The word "sway" literally means to move gently back and forth, but it also carries the sense of exerting a pulling force to change someone’s opinion or position. Think of how a tree sways in the wind or how a persuasive argument can "pull" someone toward a new way of thinking. The clue keeps it simple by focusing on the action itself.

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