Today’s NYT Midi answers guide for September 13, 2026 is here with helpful hints before the full solutions. If you’re trying to finish the puzzle without immediately spoiling every entry, the clues below should point you in the right direction.
You’ll find both Across and Down hints first, followed by the complete NYT Crossword: The Midi answers for every clue in today’s puzzle.
About today’s NYT Midi crossword puzzle
September 13, 2026’s NYT Midi crossword puzzle offers a fairly approachable solving experience with a nice blend of everyday vocabulary, pop culture references, abbreviations, and light wordplay. Many clues rely on common expressions or straightforward definitions, while a handful include playful question marks that encourage thinking beyond the literal meaning.

The puzzle is well balanced, making it suitable for newer solvers while still giving experienced crossword fans a few clever entries to untangle. Several clues reference television, music, and internet culture, and there are also a few classic crossword staples mixed in. Overall, it’s a satisfying midweek-style challenge that rewards careful reading without becoming overly tricky.
NYT Midi – Across hints and answers for September 13, 2026
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| “Hold on a ___!” | A brief unit of time in casual speech | SEC |
| Welcoming neon sign at a 24-hour diner | A glowing message says customers can enter | OPEN |
| Hawaiian island where Obama was born | The island home of Honolulu | OAHU |
| Subterranean area | A space located below ground level | CAVE |
| What color you might turn when embarrassed | A vivid shade describing an embarrassed face | BRIGHT RED |
| Tell a falsehood | Give information that isn’t true | LIE |
| Facetious scapegoat for a bad mistake, maybe | A humorous person or thing blamed afterward | EVIL TWIN |
| Secure, as a job | Obtain employment or make a position certain | LAND |
| “In or Out” singer DiFranco | Singer-songwriter known simply by her first name | ANI |
| Navy stunt pilot | A member of the famous aerial demonstration team | BLUE ANGEL |
| Canola and corn products | Cooking ingredients commonly made from crops | OILS |
| Yawnfest | Something extremely dull or boring | BORE |
| Soaks with water | Makes something thoroughly wet | WETS |
| Hill-building insects | Colonies of these insects can create large mounds | ANTS |
NYT Midi – Down hints and answers for September 13, 2026
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Break down crying | A short word for suddenly becoming tearful | SOB |
| Place for a stud or a ring | Body location commonly associated with jewelry | EAR |
| Life force, to an acupuncturist | Traditional Chinese medicine uses this concept | CHI |
| Trio + five | Add three and five to get this number | OCTET |
| Golfer’s target | The desired score for a hole | PAR |
| Adam and ___ | Complete the familiar biblical pair | EVE |
| “The Simpsons” neighbor Flanders | Homer Simpson’s famously friendly neighbor | NED |
| Initial problem for a storied duckling | The young character’s early appearance is described this way | UGLIDEST |
| Broom-___ (comics witch) | Complete the name of this classic comics witch | HILDA |
| ___ the Elephant (New York Liberty mascot with an alliterative name) | The Liberty mascot has this memorable first name | ELLIE |
| Bank storage space with heavy security | A highly protected room for valuables | VAULT |
| Hayride vehicle | A farm vehicle often used for autumn rides | WAGON |
| Nonreactive, as some gases | Chemically inactive is another way to describe them | INERT |
| “Frasier” brother | The other Crane brother on the sitcom | NILES |
| Acknowledge an ovation, in a way | A performer may respond with this gesture | BOW |
| Org. that discourages traveling? | This sports organization penalizes a particular violation | NBA |
Tips for solving NYT Crossword: The Midi
A good strategy is to solve the clues that immediately stand out before tackling the trickier entries. Filling in shorter words often provides valuable crossing letters that make longer answers much easier to recognize.

Pay close attention to punctuation, especially question marks, since they frequently signal wordplay or a non-literal interpretation. Abbreviations in clues usually point toward abbreviated answers, while plural clues almost always require plural solutions.
If an answer doesn’t seem to fit, move on and revisit it later. Fresh crossing letters often reveal the correct word instantly. Finally, keep an eye out for common crossword vocabulary, pop culture references, and familiar idioms, as they appear regularly in Today’s NYT Crossword: The Midi.
Final thoughts
The NYT Midi September 13, 2026 puzzle delivers an enjoyable mix of straightforward clues and clever wordplay, making it a rewarding solve for a wide range of crossword fans. This guide provides spoiler-friendly hints before revealing the complete NYT Crossword: The Midi solutions, allowing you to get as much help as you need without giving everything away at once.
Be sure to check back for tomorrow’s NYT Midi answers, along with fresh hints and complete Across and Down solutions.







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