The New York Times crossword puzzle

Across

1 Symbol of Halloween

9 10/10, say

13 Imitative practice

14 Chewed up, as a sweater

15 Justifies

16 Propagandist’s technique

17 Alternative to a die

18 Sharply sarcastic

19 Try to get money from, maybe

20 Girlfriend on “Orange Is the New Black”

22 “I’ve got this!”

23 Competitive problem solver

26 2012 Grammywinning rap hit that samples “Try a Little Tenderness”

27 Hot spots?

29 Brunch beverages, for short

32 Standing order

33 Peter, Paul and Mary: Abbr.

34 Street entertainers with boomboxes

37 Zoo exhibit

38 Ballroom alternatives to the foxtrot

40 Yoga class sights

41 “___ funny!”

42 Na+ or Cl-, in NaCl

44 Loyal friend to Aeneas

46 Vessel at a Japanese restaurant

50 Key with one sharp

51 Message typically associated with the color pink

52 Long and lean

53 Not worry

54 ___ ou Démon (Givenchy perfume)

55 Drove

Down

1 Some expensive imports

2 Huge progress, metaphorically

3 Open chamber

4 Like some eye surgery

5 Riddle in Zen Buddhism

6 Cannes festival focus

7 Spiritual realms in religious cosmology

8 Symbols next to logos: Abbr.

9 Barker’s entrance?

10 Shuttle that docked with 14-Down

11 Snack that, despite its name, doesn’t help with weight loss

12 They require you to read the fine print

14 See 10-Down

16 Music store purchase for an avid fan

18 Many of the world’s rulers use it

21 Tutee or trainee

24 Salad bowl wood

25 Relic

28 Champagne pop

29 Biden time?

30 Arcade game spinoff of 1983

31 Really angry

35 Author of the 2012 book “Cypherpunks: Freedom and the Future of the Internet”

36 Big name in mail-order catalogs

39 Word with justice or grace

43 One who might give you a shot

45 Miniature

47 “Now!”

48 Mother of the royals George, Charlotte and Louis

49 Stated one’s case

51 There: Lat.