Mini Crossword September 5, 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

   7 × 7

   Clues

   7 across, 9 down

   Answer lengths

   3–7 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Its state quarter features a grizzly bear catching a salmon (6)

   US state known for its vast wilderness and wildlife

   7 Across — Run-of-the-mill (6)

   Unremarkable or standard, not special

   8 Across — Needing a friend (6)

   Feeling isolated or without companionship

   9 Across — Grazing animal in the Rockies (3)

   Large mammal often found in mountainous regions

   10 Across — Freestanding counter at the center of a kitchen (6)

   Kitchen feature that provides extra counter space

   13 Across — Eating plan participant (6)

   Person following a restricted eating plan for health

   14 Across — Class with colored belts (6)

   Martial art with a focus on discipline and self-control

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Knee injury site, for short (3)

   Common sports injury affecting knee stability

   2 Down — Brit's bathroom (3)

   Informal term for a restroom in British English

   3 Down — Memory loss issue (7)

   Condition characterized by memory loss or forgetfulness

   4 Down — Nose, by function (7)

   Body part responsible for detecting odors

   5 Down — Major Indian city that's the capital of West Bengal (7)

   Major city in eastern India and a cultural hub

   6 Down — "___ given Sunday!" (football fan's maxim) (3)

   Phrase used to express flexibility or spontaneity

   10 Down — Texting equivalent of a shrug (3)

   Abbreviation used to express a lack of knowledge

   11 Down — After taxes (3)

   Financial term describing earnings after deductions

   12 Down — "Dr." who co-founded Death Row Records (3)

   Music producer and rapper with a significant hip-hop legacy

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   A… (6 letters)

   7 Across

   C… (6 letters)

   8 Across

   L… (6 letters)

   9 Across

   E… (3 letters)

   10 Across

   I… (6 letters)

   13 Across

   D… (6 letters)

   14 Across

   K… (6 letters)

   1 Down

   A… (3 letters)

   2 Down

   L… (3 letters)

   3 Down

   A… (7 letters)

   4 Down

   S… (7 letters)

   5 Down

   K… (7 letters)

   6 Down

   A… (3 letters)

   10 Down

   I… (3 letters)

   11 Down

   N… (3 letters)

   12 Down

   D… (3 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   9 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