5 Down

NYT Daily • August 22, 2025

Cause headaches for

Answer:

TRY

Hint:

Attempting something difficult might leave you with a literal or figurative pain.

Explanation:

The clue "Cause headaches for" hints at the word "TRY" because "try" sounds like "tire," which can mean to exhaust or wear someone out—something that often leads to headaches. It’s a playful pun where the answer relies on the homophone (same-sounding word) rather than the literal meaning. Think of how "trying" situations can be frustrating or draining, tying back to the idea of causing discomfort.

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