Undercover operatives
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 31, 2026
Stuck on the clue Undercover operatives from the New York Times Daily for March 31, 2026? We have the correct 5-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Undercover operatives (5)
Answer
The answer to Undercover operatives is Spies (5 letters).
Why does Spies fit this clue?
This is a direct definition clue where 'Undercover operatives' serves as a straightforward synonym for SPIES. Spies are agents who secretly gather information about enemies or competitors, typically working for government intelligence agencies or military organizations. The word 'undercover' in the clue emphasizes the covert nature of espionage work, where spies must conceal their true identities and purposes while infiltrating target organizations or countries. The term 'operatives' reinforces that these are active agents carrying out missions rather than passive observers.
What does Undercover operatives mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
undercover
adjective
•working or done in secret, especially involving spies or police
operatives
noun
•people who work secretly for an organization, especially in intelligence or espionage
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 71-across in the New York Times Daily on March 31, 2026, by Ryan Patrick Smith, edited by Will Shortz. See all answers for this puzzle.
Read the NYT Wordplay column for this puzzle.
NYT Daily — Mar 31, 2026
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What does Spies mean?
noun
•A person who secretly watches and examines the actions of other individuals or organizations and gathers information on them (usually to gain an advantage).
verb
•To act as a spy.
•To spot; to catch sight of.
Origin of the word Spies
•origin: Old French 'espie' from Frankish 'spehon'
•period: 13th century
The word evolved from the Germanic root meaning 'to look' or 'to watch,' which is also the source of the German word 'spähen' meaning to spy or peer.
How to use Spies in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Spies.
•“The government recruited skilled spies to work as undercover operatives in foreign countries.”
•“During the Cold War, both superpowers employed numerous spies to gather intelligence on each other's military capabilities.”
•“The novel featured a thrilling plot about corporate spies stealing trade secrets from rival companies.”
What are other crossword clues for Spies?
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Daily, Mar 31, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Daily for March 31, 2026 was published by Ryan Patrick Smith and has 78 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Undercover operatives
- What is the answer to Undercover operatives?
- The answer is Spies (5 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Daily on March 31, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Undercover operatives have?
- The answer has 5 letters: Spies.
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 31, 2026
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provider
editor
Will Shortz
date
position
71 Across
answer length
5 letters