Today’s NYT Midi answers guide for September 23, 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 23, 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 23, 2026
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Request that might make you stick out your tongue | Think of a brief instruction during a throat examination. | SAY AH |
| “No ___, ands or buts!” | Complete the familiar phrase used to reject excuses. | IFS |
| Calmness under pressure | This describes composed self-control during tense moments. | POISE |
| Made it through a round of musical chairs, say | The winner kept a seat when the music stopped. | SAT |
| Leader of the pack | Think of the dominant member of a group. | ALPHA MALE |
| Salary bump | A workplace increase in pay is called this. | RAISE |
| One with well-groomed dogs? | Interpret “dogs” as feet for this playful answer. | FOOT MODEL |
| Tennis star Agassi | Use the first name of the famous tennis champion. | ANDRE |
| “In Rainbows” rock band … or a collective feature of the circled letters in 11- and 14-Across? | Think of the English alternative-rock group behind the album. | RADIOHEAD |
| $1,000,000, casually | Use the common shortened slang for one million dollars. | MIL |
| Taste quality of soy sauce and miso | Think of the savory taste associated with these foods. | UMAMI |
| “My bad,” in a text | Use a short texting abbreviation for an apology. | SRY |
| Tribal emblem | Think of a symbolic emblem representing a clan or group. | TOTEM |
NYT Midi – Down hints and answers for September 23, 2026
| Clue | Hint | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Where you might get into hot water? | Think of a place associated with relaxing in heated water. | SPA |
| “You’ve got mail” co. | Recall the internet company associated with that famous phrase. | AOL |
| Sharp bark | Think of the short, high-pitched sound made by a dog. | YIP |
| Campfire residue | Consider what remains after wood has completely burned. | ASH |
| “You’ll probably think this is crazy, but …” | This phrase asks someone to hear an unusual idea out. | HEAR ME OUT |
| “Let me repeat …” | Use the phrase that emphasizes something already stated. | I SAID |
| Test answer that has a 50/50 shot of being correct | Choose the negative option in a true-or-false test. | FALSE |
| “Stainless” metal | This common metal is part of the term “stainless.” | STEEL |
| Chinese Communist Party leader Zedong | Use the familiar three-letter form of his given name. | MAO |
| Produces produce | Read the clue as an agricultural verb involving crops. | FARMS |
| Currently broadcasting | Think of the phrase displayed when a broadcast is happening. | ON AIR |
| In a strange way | Use an adverb meaning unusually or peculiarly. | ODDLY |
| Swim-bike-run race, for short | Use the standard short form for the three-sport event. | TRI |
| Med. care option | Think of a common type of managed-care health plan. | HMO |
| “___, drink and be merry” | Complete the familiar phrase about eating and celebration. | EAT |
| Inits. in some Black churches | These initials identify a historically Black Methodist denomination. | AME |
| Faintly lit | Think of lighting that is weak rather than bright. | DIM |
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 23, 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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