Early empire builder
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 29, 2026
Stuck on the clue Early empire builder from the New York Times Daily for March 29, 2026? We have the correct 4-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Early empire builder (4)
Answer
The answer to Early empire builder is Inca (4 letters).
Why does Inca fit this clue?
This is a direct definition clue where 'Early empire builder' points to INCA, the name of the South American civilization that constructed one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian history. The Inca Empire, known in Quechua as Tawantinsuyu, stretched along the western coast of South America and reached its peak in the 15th and early 16th centuries, covering parts of modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The word 'early' signals a historical civilization that predates European colonization, and 'empire builder' fits the Inca perfectly because they expanded aggressively through conquest and diplomacy, connecting their vast territory with an impressive road network and centralized administration.
What does Early empire builder mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
empire
noun
•a group of countries or territories under a single supreme authority
•a large commercial organization owned or controlled by one person or group
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 62-down in the New York Times Daily on March 29, 2026, by Michael and Oliver Schlossberg, edited by Will Shortz. See all answers for this puzzle.
Read the NYT Wordplay column for this puzzle.
NYT Daily — Mar 29, 2026
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What does Inca mean?
noun
•Any of several species of hummingbirds in the genus Coeligena
Origin of the word Inca
•origin: Quechua 'inka' meaning 'lord' or 'ruler'
•period: 16th century
The word originally referred specifically to the emperor or royal family, but Spanish colonizers expanded its use to describe the entire civilization and people of the empire.
How to use Inca in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Inca.
•“The Inca were masterful early empire builders who constructed one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian America through strategic conquests and administrative skills.”
•“Machu Picchu stands as a testament to the advanced architectural and engineering capabilities of the Inca civilization.”
•“Many tourists visit Peru to learn about Inca history and explore the ancient ruins scattered throughout the Andes mountains.”
What are other crossword clues for Inca?
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Daily, Mar 29, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Daily for March 29, 2026 titled “Roundabouts” was published by Michael and Oliver Schlossberg and has 140 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Early empire builder
- What is the answer to Early empire builder?
- The answer is Inca (4 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Daily on March 29, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Early empire builder have?
- The answer has 4 letters: Inca.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Daily — Mar 29, 2026
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