Today’s NYT The Midi answers today guide for September 22, 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 22, 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 22, 2026
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Kind of salad with bacon and eggs | A classic salad named after a chef | COBB |
| Tally up | Add the numbers together | ADD |
| Trains, in toddler-speak | Think of the sound associated with locomotives | CHOOCHOOS |
| One-named singer with the 2024 #1 hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” | The singer behind the country-pop hit | SHABOOZEY |
| Pan handlers? | Bakers might use these kitchen workers | BAKERS |
| Princess in “The Little Mermaid” | Disney princess from an underwater kingdom | ARIEL |
| “Spring forward” clock setting: Abbr. | Daylight-saving time is shortened this way | DST |
| With 20-Across, hidden key to success … or what’s inside 8- and 11-Across? | Pair this with 20-Across for a useful expression | SECRET |
| “Without further ___ …” | A familiar phrase before getting started | ADO |
| See 17-Across | The second half of the paired expression | SAUCE |
| Mafia boss | A short Italian title for a crime boss | DON |
| One of 40(!) a day supposedly smoked by Mark Twain | A type of rolled tobacco | CIGAR |
| Really rude person | A blunt three-letter insult | ASS |
| Make extremely happy | Put someone in a state of great delight | ELATE |
NYT Midi – Down hints and answers for September 22, 2026
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Includes on an email thread | Adds someone to a message using the carbon-copy field | CCS |
| “NOW that makes sense!” | A realization expressed as two short words | OHH |
| Feathery wrap | A light accessory made from bird feathers | BOA |
| Buoyant attachment on a fishing line | It floats and signals activity underwater | BOBBER |
| “Yes … that makes sense” | A brief realization meaning “ah, okay” | AHOK |
| Took a nap | Slept lightly for a while | DOZED |
| People of action | Those who get things done | DOERS |
| Come together | Unite or merge into one | COALES |
| The “S” of GPS: Abbr. | The final word in the navigation-system name | SYST |
| Carne ___ | A common Spanish phrase associated with grilled meat | ASADA |
| Take twos | Make additional attempts | REDOS |
| Images on a touchscreen | Small visual symbols or pictures | ICONS |
| Where a scorpion’s stinger is located | The rear appendage of the arachnid | TAIL |
| Football powerhouse in the Peach State, for short | Georgia’s university team abbreviation | UGA |
| Scratching post user | A familiar household feline | CAT |
| “Able was I ___ I saw Elba” (classic palindrome) | Complete the famous mirrored sentence | ERE |
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 22, 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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