melt down crossword

The crossword clue “Melt down” is most commonly answered as RENDER , especially in recent mainstream puzzles like the LA Times and New York Times.

Main answer

• In current crossword databases, the standard 6-letter answer for the clue “Melt down” (and variants like “Melt down or hand down”) is RENDER.

• This has appeared in multiple outlets, including the LA Times (January 17, 2026) and NYT -tracked answer lists.

Why “RENDER” fits

• Literal sense : To render fat means to melt it down , which matches the direct, non-trick reading of the clue.

• Crossword pattern : Sites that track “Melt down” as a clue consistently list RENDER as the 6-letter solution, and “Hand down or melt down” also points to RENDER , reinforcing it as the go-to fill.

Other possible shorter answers

Depending on your grid length and crossings, you might also see:

• THAW (4 letters) – another common “melt” verb.

• But for a 6-letter general clue “Melt down” , RENDER is by far the most standard contemporary answer.

If you share your letter pattern (e.g., R_E_D_R), it is possible to double- check that RENDER fits your specific puzzle. Meta note : Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.