The New York Times Crossword · 7-Down · 15 letters
Visionary … or what you'll need to return to when solving this puzzle's Down clues The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed August 20, 2026
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What to notice
The answer describes progressive ideas and contrasts with reading the Across clues in reverse order.
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Answer
How the trick resolves
FORWARD THINKING means “visionary” and also instructs solvers to resume ordinary forward word order for the Down clues.
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The clue works as both a definition and an instruction for how to read the Down clues.
The answer in plain English
Forward-thinking means progressive, innovative, or concerned with future possibilities.
Where this clue appeared
7-Down in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for August 20, 2026.
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