NYT Midi Crossword Answers for Sunday, August 9, 2026: “Take the L”

Sunday, August 9, 2026 · Today's NYT Midi Crossword answers

AUG9

NYT Midi Crossword

Sunday, August 9, 2026

9×9“Take the L”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 “Take the L” — the title hints at the theme. Clues that point at it: 20A, 16D.

Across

  1. 1Utters (4)
    RevealSAYS
  2. 5Treats, as a sprained ankle (4)
    RevealICES
  3. 9Wilson of "Wedding Crashers" (4)
    RevealOWEN
  4. 10Anxiety about skipping a party, for short (4)
    RevealFOMO
  5. 11Pumpkin carving season (4)
    RevealFALL
  6. 12"___ a Fun Age" (2019 best-selling book) (4)
    RevealSUCH
  7. 13Up to, informally (3)
    RevealTIL
  8. 14Keanu Reeves's role in "The Matrix" (3)
    RevealNEO
  9. 15How herbs and spices may be added, in a recipe (7)
    RevealTOTASTE
  10. 19Modern rock band fronted by Jeff Tweedy (5)
    RevealWILCO
  11. 20Regional qualifying tournament ... or a hint to the furniture seen twice in this puzzle? (9)
    RevealSECTIONAL
  12. 24Track shape (4)
    RevealOVAL
  13. 25Italian city with an attraction tilted like this clue's letters (4)
    RevealPISA
  14. 26Term of endearment akin to "sweetie" (4)
    RevealBABE
  15. 27Digital marketplace for crafters (4)
    RevealETSY

Down

  1. 1Word before launch or taco (4)
    RevealSOFT
  2. 2Look forward to (5)
    RevealAWAIT
  3. 3Part of a pickup line in New York? (9)
    RevealYELLOWCAB
  4. 4The letters missing from comedy actor "Adam _a_d_er," fittingly (3)
    RevealSNL
  5. 5Hypotheticals (3)
    RevealIFS
  6. 6"For sure!" (9)
    RevealCOUNTONIT
  7. 7Awards show host (5)
    RevealEMCEE
  8. 8Manhattan neighborhood near Greenwich Village (4)
    RevealSOHO
  9. 16This puzzle's is "Take the L" (5)
    RevealTITLE
  10. 17Boxer Muhammad (3)
    RevealALI
  11. 18Listerine rival (5)
    RevealSCOPE
  12. 20Weep (3)
    RevealSOB
  13. 21Actress Longoria (3)
    RevealEVA
  14. 22Pompous sort (3)
    RevealASS
  15. 23Set (down) (3)
    RevealLAY
Crossword regulars in this grid (spoilers)

Answers in this NYT Midi Crossword that had shown up before, counted over the 165 puzzles since February 2026:

SNL ×4ALI ×3NEO ×3OVAL ×3SOB ×3IFS ×2SAYS ×2TIL ×2

Show all 30 answers and the solved grid

Across: 1A SAYS5A ICES9A OWEN10A FOMO11A FALL12A SUCH13A TIL14A NEO15A TOTASTE19A WILCO20A SECTIONAL24A OVAL25A PISA26A BABE27A ETSY

Down: 1D SOFT2D AWAIT3D YELLOWCAB4D SNL5D IFS6D COUNTONIT7D EMCEE8D SOHO16D TITLE17D ALI18D SCOPE20D SOB21D EVA22D ASS23D LAY

About This NYT Midi Crossword

The NYT Midi for Sunday, August 9, 2026 was a 9×9 grid by Ian Livengood, titled “Take the L”, with 30 clues; the longest answer ran 9 letters. That is 2 fewer than the average Sunday before it (32.1).

Also on Aug 9: the NYT Mini Crossword and the NYT Crossword.

Earlier August 2026 NYT Midi Crossword Answers

Aug 1Aug 2Aug 3Aug 4Aug 5Aug 6Aug 7Aug 8Aug 9

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.