Adjective that rhymes with “sheesh” or “pitch,” depending on who you ask NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “Adjective that rhymes with ‘sheesh’ or ‘pitch,’ depending on who you ask” is **niche**. This clue hinges on the fact that the word “niche” can be pronounced in two commonly accepted ways: one that rhymes with “sheesh” (/niːʃ/) and another that rhymes with “pitch” (/nɪtʃ/), depending on regional accents or personal preference. This dual pronunciation makes it a fitting and clever solution to the rhyme-based prompt.

As an adjective, “niche” describes something that appeals to or is suitable for a specialized segment of the population, such as a niche market or niche interest. While it’s more commonly used as a noun, its adjective form is perfectly valid and often appears in marketing or creative contexts. The clue plays with both sound and meaning, making it a fun example of linguistic variety in crossword puzzles.