NYT Midi Crossword Answers for Wednesday, August 5, 2026: “Close But No Cigar”

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 · Today's NYT Midi Crossword answers

AUG5

NYT Midi Crossword

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

9×9“Close But No Cigar”By Rena CohenEdited by Ian Livengood

30 clues. Tap Reveal on any clue for just that answer, or open the full solution at the bottom.

This Midi was titled “Close But No Cigar” — the title hints at the theme.

Across

  1. 1Stethoscope wearers, in brief (3)
    RevealDRS
  2. 4Paper : pencil :: ___ : stylus (4)
    RevealIPAD
  3. 8Tear (3)
    RevealRIP
  4. 9Still in bed (5)
    RevealNOTUP
  5. 11Some psychedelic experiences (9)
    RevealACIDTRIPS
  6. 13Horror or history (5)
    RevealGENRE
  7. 14Gossip, in slang (3)
    RevealTEA
  8. 15Big name in health insurance (5)
    RevealCIGNA
  9. 17Ask for too many details (3)
    RevealPRY
  10. 19No longer following orders (5)
    RevealROGUE
  11. 222017 Lil Pump hit whose name includes a fashion brand (9)
    RevealGUCCIGANG
  12. 24Apportion (5)
    RevealALLOT
  13. 25Women's suffragist ___ B. Wells (3)
    RevealIDA
  14. 26Start of a counting-out rhyme (4)
    RevealEENY
  15. 27Silent assent (3)
    RevealNOD

Down

  1. 1Performance art form featuring "queens" (4)
    RevealDRAG
  2. 2Grain in a poke bowl (4)
    RevealRICE
  3. 3Water-extracting washing machine setting (9)
    RevealSPINCYCLE
  4. 4Good moral behavior (9)
    RevealINTEGRITY
  5. 5___ ejemplo (Spanish "for example") (3)
    RevealPOR
  6. 6Back to doing something (9)
    RevealATITAGAIN
  7. 7Deceive (4)
    RevealDUPE
  8. 10"This is your brain on drugs," e.g., for short (3)
    RevealPSA
  9. 12___-FIT attire (Nike sweat-wicking fabric) (3)
    RevealDRI
  10. 16Festive drink topped with nutmeg (3)
    RevealNOG
  11. 17Grp. with drivers, but not parkers (3)
    RevealPGA
  12. 18Game player's guideline (4)
    RevealRULE
  13. 20Reverse (4)
    RevealUNDO
  14. 21Old-fashioned "My word!" (4)
    RevealEGAD
  15. 23Scam (3)
    RevealCON
Crossword regulars in this grid (spoilers)

Answers in this NYT Midi Crossword that had shown up before, counted over the 161 puzzles since February 2026:

TEA ×4NOD ×3EGAD ×2IDA ×2RIP ×2

Show all 30 answers and the solved grid

Across: 1A DRS4A IPAD8A RIP9A NOTUP11A ACIDTRIPS13A GENRE14A TEA15A CIGNA17A PRY19A ROGUE22A GUCCIGANG24A ALLOT25A IDA26A EENY27A NOD

Down: 1D DRAG2D RICE3D SPINCYCLE4D INTEGRITY5D POR6D ATITAGAIN7D DUPE10D PSA12D DRI16D NOG17D PGA18D RULE20D UNDO21D EGAD23D CON

About This NYT Midi Crossword

The NYT Midi for Wednesday, August 5, 2026 was a 9×9 grid by Rena Cohen, edited by Ian Livengood, titled “Close But No Cigar”, with 30 clues; the longest answer ran 9 letters. That is 3 fewer than the average Wednesday before it (33.3).

Also on Aug 5: the NYT Mini Crossword and the NYT Crossword.

Earlier August 2026 NYT Midi Crossword Answers

Aug 1Aug 2Aug 3Aug 4Aug 5

Every earlier puzzle is in the NYT Midi Crossword archive. For the newest one, see today's NYT Midi Crossword answers, which switch to the next puzzle as soon as it's released.

Unofficial fan guide — not affiliated with or endorsed by The New York Times. Clues are quoted for reference.