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Daily Newsday Crossword

“Mean business”

The verified answer to the Newsday Crossword clue “Mean business”, with letter-by-letter analysis and the full puzzle context for the Friday, January 2, 2026 puzzle.

Published · Down · 4 letters

Hints first

Letters 4
First letter E
Last letter L
E ? ? L

A 4-letter down entry from the Friday puzzle

The Answer

E V I L

The answer to “Mean business” is EVIL

Letters 4
Direction Down
Published Jan 2, 2026

Letter analysis: the 4-letter answer

Vowels, consonants, and crossword construction notes
Unique 4 of 4 positions
Vowels 2 50% of word
Consonants 2 non-vowels
First letter E starts with

The clue “Mean business” appeared in the Newsday Crossword on Friday, January 2, 2026 as a down entry. The verified answer is EVIL — a 4-letter word that begins with E and ends with L.

This answer contains 2 vowels and 2 consonants. The Newsday Crossword is published daily by Newsday on Long Island and edited by Stan Newman, whose Saturday Stumper is widely considered one of the toughest mainstream crosswords in print.

Other clues with the answer EVIL

EVIL has been used as the answer for these Newsday Crossword clues
“Wicked” May 4, 2026 “No good” Mar 28, 2026 “Wicked” Mar 24, 2026 “Diabolical” Feb 25, 2026 “Villainous” Feb 16, 2026 “Villainous” Feb 9, 2026 “Villainous” Jan 6, 2026 “Wicked” Jan 5, 2026 “Wicked” Dec 31, 2025 “Live the wrong way” Dec 27, 2025 “Wicked” Dec 9, 2025

More clues from the January 2, 2026 puzzle

Friday Newsday Crossword
View full puzzle
Country quarters 3 ℓ · D Minstrel versifier 4 ℓ · D ID scanner target 4 ℓ · D Isn't sincere 4 ℓ · D Workout by-product 10 ℓ · D Minor anomaly 4 ℓ · A Social media user labels 4 ℓ · A Zilch 14 ℓ · D Four of a kind 6 ℓ · D Cellphone protector 4 ℓ · A Lo mein cousin 7 ℓ · D Tiny buzzer 4 ℓ · D Type of beach bash 4 ℓ · D Knee-ankle connector 5 ℓ · D Comes out with 4 ℓ · D Table leaves, e.g. 6 ℓ · A Vacant, as stares 6 ℓ · D Tart citrus 7 ℓ · A Leave off 4 ℓ · A Way up high 5 ℓ · A

Frequently asked questions about “Mean business”

What is the answer to “Mean business” in the Newsday Crossword?

The verified answer is EVIL — a 4-letter word that appeared as a down entry on Friday, January 2, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Mean business”?

The answer EVIL contains 4 letters.

Was “Mean business” an across or down clue?

This clue ran as a Down entry.

Is this site affiliated with Newsday?

No. This is an independent fan reference site — we are not affiliated with Newsday. The Newsday Crossword is a trademark of its respective owner. We solve and verify each Newsday Crossword puzzle manually before publishing the answer key.

Mean business — Newsday Crossword Clue Answer | Newsday Crossword Answers