23 Across
NYT Daily • September 11, 2025
Total
Answer:
SUMTO
Hint:
["Think of a mathematical operation that combines numbers, often represented by the Greek letter sigma in formulas. The answer is a shortened version of this term plus a common preposition."]
Explanation:
"Total" hints at a mathematical sum, but the answer "SUMTO" plays with the word by adding "TO" at the end. It’s a straightforward charade-style clue where "SUM" (the total) is combined with "TO" to form the answer. Think of it like taking the word for a total and literally tacking on the preposition "to."