85 Across

NYT Daily • August 31, 2025

Firmly planted

Answer:

ROOTED

Hint:

Think of how a tree stays anchored in the ground or how a belief can become deeply established over time.

Explanation:

Firmly planted" hints at something deeply embedded in the ground, which is exactly what "rooted" means. The word also plays on the idea of being established or fixed in place, like a plant’s roots holding it steady. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden tricks—just a natural fit for the clue.

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