Mini Crossword September 16, 2026: Clues & Answers

Mini Crossword hints, one rung at a time

Five rungs, from grid facts to a nudge per clue. The recap above already summed the grid up, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying it fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

1. 1 Hint 1: Grid facts

   Counted off the grid.

   Grid

   5 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 5 down

   Answer lengths

   3–5 letters

2. 2 Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Dallas hooper, for short (3)

   Nickname for a Dallas basketball team

   4 Across — Something to R.S.V.P. to (5)

   Social engagement you need to respond to

   7 Across — Kind of patio that shares its name with a Hawaiian island (5)

   Outdoor space named after a Hawaiian locale

   8 Across — Heavyweight in an industry (5)

   Dominant player in a particular field

   9 Across — Straight ___, every part of every letter in this puzzle's grid (4)

   Typographic term for perfectly uniform text

3. 3 Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Turn gooey, as cheese (4)

   Become soft and gooey when heated

   2 Down — To no ___ (unsuccessfully) (5)

   Phrase meaning without achieving success

   3 Down — Large size at Starbucks (5)

   Large coffee size at a popular chain

   5 Down — Flatbread sometimes brushed with garlic butter (4)

   Indian flatbread often served with curries

   6 Down — Sharp part of a fork (4)

   Pointed part of a dining utensil

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   M… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   E… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   L… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   T… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   L… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   M… (4 letters)

   2 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   V… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   N… (4 letters)

   6 Down

   T… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 3 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue