40 Across
NYT Daily • August 16, 2025
Try to break, as a bad habit
Answer:
UNLEARN
Hint:
Reverse the process of absorbing something you once practiced automatically.
Explanation:
The clue plays on the idea of "breaking" a habit, which isn’t about physically breaking something but undoing or reversing learned behavior. "Unlearn" fits because it means to consciously discard or forget something you’ve previously absorbed—like a bad habit. The word "try to" hints at the effort involved, while "break" acts as a definition, making the answer a straightforward yet clever match. It’s a common phrase in psychology and self-improvement, reinforcing the idea of actively overcoming ingrained patterns.