30 Across

NYT Daily • August 23, 2025

One might be fragile

Answer:

EGO

Hint:

It’s easily bruised when pride takes a hit.

Explanation:

The word "fragile" hints at something easily broken or sensitive, which fits "ego" since people often describe someone’s self-esteem as delicate. The clue plays on the double meaning—while "fragile" usually refers to physical objects, here it’s about emotional vulnerability. It’s a clever twist because an ego isn’t literally breakable, but the idea of it being "fragile" is a common phrase.

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