Searching for the NYT Crossword answers today? If today’s New York Times Crossword has a few clues standing in the way, this guide has everything needed to finish the puzzle.
Below, you’ll find a spoiler-light overview, followed by hints for every Across and Down clue before revealing the complete answers. Whether only one square is missing or the entire grid needs solving, today’s guide for September 09, 2026 covers every clue in order.
09 September 2026 – NYT Crossword overview
Today’s crossword offers a balanced challenge with a clever central theme that gradually becomes apparent as more of the grid is completed. Several clues rely on wordplay and misdirection, while a handful of modern abbreviations and pop culture references may slow down even experienced solvers.
The puzzle is approachable for regular crossword players but still contains enough tricky clues to make the final solve satisfying. Looking for hints first? Start with the sections below before scrolling to the complete answers.
NYT Crossword Across hints and answers for September 09, 2026
Start with the hint if you’d like to keep solving on your own. The answer is listed directly underneath.
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | “OK,” in modern slang | BET |
| 4A | Develop | BUILD |
| 9A | Postlarval insects | PUPAE |
| 14A | Prefix with skeleton | EXO |
| 15A | Ewok’s home | ENDOR |
| 16A | Blow, as 13-Down does repeatedly | ERUPT |
| 17A | Top starter | ACE |
| 18A | Unsecured artillery that can slide across the deck | LOOSE CANNON |
| 20A | “Semper Fidelis,” for one | MOTTO |
| 22A | Advantage | LEG UP |
| 23A | Me-time destination | SPA |
| 24A | Creature of Egyptian myth | SPHINX |
| 26A | Bus schedule component | STOP |
| 28A | Some landscaping equipment | EDGERS |
| 31A | Worker who’s behind the Times? | EDITOR |
| 35A | Plow puller of old | MULE |
| 37A | “Verb,” ironically | NOUN |
| 39A | Part of a black suit | SPADE |
| 40A | Its three largest cities all have names starting with C | OHIO |
| 41A | Completely lost … or where the now-idiomatic answer to each italicized clue has a literal meaning | AT SEA |
| 43A | Barely made (out) | EKED |
| 44A | Chat, informally | CONVO |
| 46A | Old-timey “Listen!” | HARK |
| 47A | Out of juice | DEAD |
| 48A | Paint options | SHEENS |
| 50A | Permanent-press | NO-IRON |
| 52A | Part of many a shallow-water ecosystem | REEF |
| 54A | Music genre for some yoga classes | NEW AGE |
| 57A | Suffix with devil | ISH |
| 60A | Expresses approval, in a way | CLAPS |
| 63A | Remove from its original packaging, say | UNBOX |
| 64A | Equatorial ocean area notorious for lack of winds | THE DOLDRUMS |
| 67A | Consumed | ATE |
| 68A | Character in “Monsters, Inc.” | COMMA |
| 69A | Like many a campfire story | EERIE |
| 70A | Hiker to a QB: Abbr. | CTR |
| 71A | Elevate, as a flag | HOIST |
| 72A | Shell out cash | SPEND |
| 73A | Word with sewing or starter | KIT |
NYT Crossword Down hints and answers for September 09, 2026
| No. | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1D | Has a happy face | BEAMS |
| 2D | Former member of the force | EX-COP |
| 3D | Stand barefoot in formation along seams of deck planks | TOE THE LINE |
| 4D | Fit in | BELONG |
| 5D | Game in which players draw and skip | UNO |
| 6D | Big celebrity | IDOL |
| 7D | When repeated, leading only to bad outcomes | LOSE |
| 8D | Leftovers | DREGS |
| 9D | Stir-fry add-ins | PEA PODS |
| 10D | Decorative vessel | URN |
| 11D | “Sofa, so good” and such | PUNS |
| 12D | Each | A POP |
| 13D | Sicilian smoker | ETNA |
| 19D | ___ as a bug’s ear | CUTE |
| 21D | Drift with the natural flow of currents | TIDE OVER |
| 25D | TV’s “Warrior Princess” | XENA |
| 27D | Bosun’s whistled call signaling a shift change | PIPE DOWN |
| 29D | I.R.A. classification | ROTH |
| 30D | Lazy ___ | SUSAN |
| 32D | Flattened against the masts in a changing wind | TAKEN ABACK |
| 33D | Roman theaters | ODEA |
| 34D | Comedian Foxx | REDD |
| 35D | Soft leather shoes, for short | MOCS |
| 36D | “That’s not good” | UH-OH |
| 38D | Fiddler-emperor, legend has it | NERO |
| 42D | Similar | AKIN |
| 45D | Minimal paint job | ONE COAT |
| 49D | Promote | SELL |
| 51D | Not just thrown away, say | REUSED |
| 53D | Gradually tapered cuts | FADES |
| 55D | Jailed New York crime boss | GOTTI |
| 56D | Wield, as authority | EXERT |
| 57D | Bite reminder, maybe | ITCH |
| 58D | “Get away!” | SHOO |
| 59D | Prefix with sphere | HEMI |
| 61D | Dice peppers, e.g. | PREP |
| 62D | Positive | SURE |
| 65D | Personally contacts online, for short | DMS |
| 66D | Max’s opposite | MIN |
Tips for solving the NYT Crossword
Even if today’s crossword proved difficult, a few strategies can make future puzzles much easier.
- Fill in the shortest clues first to build crossing letters.
- Skip clues that seem impossible and return later with more letters in place.
- Watch for question marks, as they often signal puns or wordplay.
- Look for common crossword abbreviations, initials, and shortened forms.
- Don’t ignore theme clues, as they often unlock multiple answers throughout the puzzle.
- Use crossing answers to verify uncertain guesses instead of forcing words that don’t fit.
Consistently solving a few puzzles each week also helps build familiarity with recurring clue styles commonly used in the NYT Crossword.
Final thoughts
The NYT Crossword for September 09, 2026 delivers another enjoyable daily challenge with a satisfying mix of straightforward clues, clever wordplay, and a memorable theme. Whether only a couple of answers were needed or the complete solution was required, hopefully this guide helped finish today’s puzzle.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for another complete set of NYT Crossword hints and answers, including spoiler-free clues followed by the full solution.
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