Mini Crossword September 20, 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 — Running joke (3)

   Comedic device used repeatedly

   4 Across — Shade of brown that becomes a shade of gold if you change its first letter to an "A" (5)

   Earth tone with a rich, reddish hue

   6 Across — State that shares the same first and last letters with MOOSE, appropriately (5)

   New England state with a rugged coastline

   7 Across — Joined teams (with) (5)

   Took someone's side in a dispute or argument

   8 Across — "___ Misérables" (3)

   French title for a famous musical set in France

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — App with an envelope logo (5)

   Popular email service from Google

   2 Down — Withstand (5)

   Endure or tolerate a difficult situation

   3 Down — Things that might make your hair curl? (5)

   Inherited traits that influence physical characteristics

   4 Down — Sounds of hesitation (3)

   Vocalizations that indicate uncertainty or doubt

   5 Down — Vibrant color for a sugar maple in autumn (3)

   Vibrant autumn color of certain tree leaves

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   G… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   U… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   M… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   L… (3 letters)

   1 Down

   G… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   G… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   U… (3 letters)

   5 Down

   R… (3 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