The New York Times Crossword · 62-Across · 4 letters
Story of one’s life? The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed August 19, 2026
Decode the turn
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What to notice
Think of a short published account written after a person dies.
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Answer
How the trick resolves
An OBIT often summarizes the important events in someone’s life, making it literally a life story. The question mark signals the clue’s darkly playful reinterpretation.
Continue this puzzleForfends →The turn in the clue
The question mark warns that “story” is being used as a playful description rather than a direct synonym.
The answer in plain English
A short form of “obituary,” a published account of a person’s life after death.
Where this clue appeared
62-Across in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for August 18, 2026.
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