The New York Times Crossword · 18-Across · 6 letters
Started to boil The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed August 29, 2026
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What to notice
Use a six-letter two-word past-tense phrase meaning became angry.
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Answer
How the trick resolves
GOTMAD fits because “boil” is used figuratively for rising anger rather than heating liquid. “Started” requires the past-tense phrase “got mad,” entered without a space.
Continue this puzzleThey get rings for hoops →The turn in the clue
The past tense and figurative use of “boil” point to becoming angry rather than beginning to heat.
The answer in plain English
Got mad means became angry.
Where this clue appeared
18-Across in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for August 29, 2026.
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