62 Across
NYT Daily • August 23, 2025
Criminal mastermind
Answer:
EVILGENIUS
Hint:
This brilliant but sinister schemer’s name combines wickedness with extraordinary intellect.
Explanation:
"Criminal mastermind" hints at someone brilliant but morally corrupt, which is exactly what "evil genius" describes. The answer is written as one word, "EVILGENIUS," blending the two ideas into a single term. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay—just a direct nod to the classic trope of a villainous schemer.