Early bloomers?

Archive answer — August 8, 2026

18 Down

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Clue explained

“BUDS” is the published 4-letter fill for 18 Down. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

The Atlantic Crossword

This clue’s Saturday, August 8, 2026 appearance

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Crossword solution grid

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Across

18 clues
  1. 1Air-traffic-control org.
  2. 4"What do you call cheese that isn't yours? ___ cheese!"
  3. 9Off the computer: abbr.
  4. 10Part of a yard sale?
  5. 11Anger in response to some systemic oppression
  6. 132024 film for which Mikey Madison won an Oscar
  7. 14Disney hero who opposes King Magnifico
  8. 15Seek clarification
  9. 16Term of endearment
  10. 17Perform in <i>Fat Ham</i>
  11. 18"I've ___ to the Mountaintop"
  12. 20Parts of yrs.
  13. 21Bit of a skirmish
  14. 23"This is nothing new for me"
  15. 25They put out songs that you just can't stop listening to
  16. 26Bigfoot of the skies: abbr.
  17. 27Feature of a scratch-and-sniff sticker
  18. 28Number of players who should be on a basketball court during any given game

Down

16 clues
  1. 1World Cup org.
  2. 2Stand-up in a large crowd?
  3. 3<i>So</i> close to certain
  4. 4"No," to a Scot
  5. 5Pokémon that evolves into Kadabra
  6. 6Has a total meltdown
  7. 7Like someone who's feeling euphoric from the joys of daily existence
  8. 8<i>On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous</i> author Vuong
  9. 10State that's home to Walt Disney World: abbr.
  10. 12Famous couples' cruise?
  11. 17Not quite right
  12. 18Early bloomers?BUDS
  13. 19Is in France?
  14. 21Result of a successful pitch?
  15. 22School attended by Eddie Redmayne
  16. 24Title in Congress: abbr.

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 1. Air-traffic-control org.

    Answer: FAA

  2. 4. "What do you call cheese that isn't yours? ___ cheese!"

    Answer: NACHO

  3. 9. Off the computer: abbr.

    Answer: IRL

  4. 10. Part of a yard sale?

    Answer: FABRIC

  5. 11. Anger in response to some systemic oppression

    Answer: FEMALERAGE

  6. 13. 2024 film for which Mikey Madison won an Oscar

    Answer: ANORA

  7. 14. Disney hero who opposes King Magnifico

    Answer: ASHA

  8. 15. Seek clarification

    Answer: ASK

  9. 16. Term of endearment

    Answer: HON

  10. 17. Perform in <i>Fat Ham</i>

    Answer: ACT

  11. 18. "I've ___ to the Mountaintop"

    Answer: BEEN

  12. 20. Parts of yrs.

    Answer: MOS

  13. 21. Bit of a skirmish

    Answer: TUSSLE

  14. 23. "This is nothing new for me"

    Answer: IMUSEDTOIT

  15. 25. They put out songs that you just can't stop listening to

    Answer: SIRENS

  16. 26. Bigfoot of the skies: abbr.

    Answer: UFO

  17. 27. Feature of a scratch-and-sniff sticker

    Answer: SCENT

  18. 28. Number of players who should be on a basketball court during any given game

    Answer: TEN

Down

  1. 1. World Cup org.

    Answer: FIFA

  2. 2. Stand-up in a large crowd?

    Answer: ARENACOMIC

  3. 3. <i>So</i> close to certain

    Answer: ALMOSTSURE

  4. 4. "No," to a Scot

    Answer: NAE

  5. 5. Pokémon that evolves into Kadabra

    Answer: ABRA

  6. 6. Has a total meltdown

    Answer: CRASHESOUT

  7. 7. Like someone who's feeling euphoric from the joys of daily existence

    Answer: HIGHONLIFE

  8. 8. <i>On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous</i> author Vuong

    Answer: OCEAN

  9. 10. State that's home to Walt Disney World: abbr.

    Answer: FLA

  10. 12. Famous couples' cruise?

    Answer: ARK

  11. 17. Not quite right

    Answer: AMISS

  12. 18. Early bloomers?

    Answer: BUDS

  13. 19. Is in France?

    Answer: EST

  14. 21. Result of a successful pitch?

    Answer: TENT

  15. 22. School attended by Eddie Redmayne

    Answer: ETON

  16. 24. Title in Congress: abbr.

    Answer: SEN

The answer to “Early bloomers?” in the The Atlantic Crossword is BUDS — a 4-letter word. It appears in our available data for August 8, 2026 at 18-Down. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“Early bloomers?” answer

BUDS(4 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does BUDS fit?

BUDS is the published 4-letter answer at 18-Down. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “Early bloomers?” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Early bloomers?”?

The answer is BUDS.

How many letters are in the answer?

4 letters: BUDS.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the The Atlantic Crossword for August 8, 2026 at 18-Down.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the The Atlantic answers page for August 8, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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