The NYT Mini Crossword for Monday, September 14, 2026, features a compact 5×5 grid that blends television history, Broadway news, and natural history. If you are stuck on a specific intersection or a tricky clue like the Hitchcock appearance or the Texas geography, the following breakdown will help you complete your daily streak.
Hints for the September 14 NYT Mini
Before revealing the full solution, here are some progressive hints for the Monday puzzle:
- 1A: Think of the major American network that hosts long-running reality competitions like “Survivor.”
- 4A: A fortified wine often served after a meal, sharing a name with a harbor.
- 6A: Focus on the anatomical differences between various elephant species.
- 7A: This refers to a 2026 Broadway revival of a cult classic musical involving “Time Warps.”
- 1D: A word that can precede “book,” “strip,” or “relief.”
- 4D: A major city in West Texas that sits right on the border with Mexico.
SPOILER WARNING: The full list of answers for the September 14, 2026, NYT Mini Crossword follows below.
September 14 NYT Mini Crossword Answers
Across
- 1A: Channel for “Survivor” and “Big Brother” — CBS
The long-standing television network known for its “eye” logo. - 4A: Dessert wine — PORT
A sweet, fortified wine originally from Portugal. - 5A: Alfred Hitchcock famously made one in 40 of his 53 films — CAMEO
The legendary director was known for his brief, often silent appearances in his own movies. - 6A: Like elephants distinguished by their smaller rounded ears — ASIAN
Unlike African elephants, which have large ears shaped somewhat like the continent of Africa, Asian elephants have smaller, more rounded ears. - 7A: “The ___ Horror Show,” 2026 Broadway revival with nine Tony nominations — ROCKY
The clue references the specific 2026 revival of the cult classic stage production.
Down
- 1D: Word before relief, book or strip — COMIC
This fits all three common phrases: “comic relief,” “comic book,” and “comic strip.” - 2D: Snap (off) — BREAK
A simple synonym for snapping a piece off something. - 3D: Cold and unfeeling — STONY
Often used to describe a “stony” expression or a cold demeanor. - 4D: El ___, West Texas metropolis — PASO
The city of El Paso is a major hub located in the westernmost corner of Texas. - 5D: Expensive gift for a 16th birthday — CAR
A classic, though high-cost, milestone birthday present.
The grid is structured with tight overlaps, such as the ‘O’ at the intersection of 1D (COMIC) and 4A (PORT), and the ‘R’ shared between 2D (BREAK) and 4A (PORT). You can find more historical puzzle data and daily solutions through NYT Crossword Answers.
