Crossword clue

“Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded”

This clue appeared as 10-Down in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The answer has 10 letters.

Answer · 10 lettersFirst appearance
MOUSETRAPS
Letters10
Starts withM
Ends withS
Vowels4

Where this clue has appeared

About this clue

The clue “Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded” ran in the NYT Crossword on February 12, 2026 as 10-Down. Its answer is a 10-letter word that starts with M and ends with S, with 4 vowels, which often points to a phrase, a name or a borrowed word.

See every answer from the puzzle on the NYT Crossword page for February 12, 2026, or learn how clues like this work in our guide to crossword clue types.

More clues from this puzzle

FAQ

What is the answer to the “Mechanisms that are often spring-loaded” clue?+

The answer is MOUSETRAPS (10 letters), from the NYT Crossword of February 12, 2026.

Where has this clue appeared?+

We have seen it 1 time in the NYT Crossword.

How do I find other NYT Crossword answers?+

Open the full list of answers for February 12, 2026, or browse every date on the NYT Crossword hub.