21 Across

NYT Daily • September 7, 2025

Constant nuisance

Answer:

BANE

Hint:

Think of a word that describes something persistently harmful, like a villain’s weakness in old legends or a never-ending source of trouble.

Explanation:

Constant nuisance" hints at something that’s always bothering you, and "bane" fits perfectly—it means a cause of persistent trouble or annoyance. The word also pops up in phrases like "bane of my existence," reinforcing the idea of an ongoing irritation. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay, just a direct match for something that’s a relentless headache.

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