Cause to shrink, as confidence
Editorially verified for the Sep 28, 2026
16 Down
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Clue explained
ERODE is a verb meaning to wear away or diminish, so confidence can erode when it weakens. The clue uses the transitive form, “cause to shrink.”
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NYT Midi Crossword
This clue's Monday, September 28, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Cause to shrink, as confidence” in the New York Times Midi crossword is ERODE — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 28, 2026 at 16-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.
“Cause to shrink, as confidence” answer
ERODE (5 letters)
Use the reveal tiles above to uncover the solution one letter at a time if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Prefer the full answer straight away? It's ERODE.
What does ERODE mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of ERODE is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(verb)
- (of wind, water, or other natural agents) gradually wear away (soil, rock, or land)
When else has “Cause to shrink, as confidence” appeared?
New York Times Midi reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.
September 28, 2026 (most recent) → ERODE. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Cause to shrink, as confidence”?
The answer is ERODE, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 28, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Cause to shrink, as confidence”?
5 letters: ERODE.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 28, 2026, at 16-Down.
Can “Cause to shrink, as confidence” have a different answer?
Yes — New York Times Midi sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.
Where can I find the rest of today's NYT Midi answers?
Every clue and answer from that day's puzzle is linked above, and the full grid is on the NYT Midi answers page.
New York Times Midi Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.
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