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.