Clichéd and overused, as a phrase

Editorially verified for the Oct 14, 2026

23 Across

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A familiar saying presented as an example of a clichéd phrase.

Clue explained

Trite describes a phrase that feels stale from overuse, such as “better late than never.” The word can also apply to an idea or remark that seems unoriginal because people have heard it so often.

Clue type:
Definition

NYT Midi Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, October 14, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Spherical object
  2. 4Thwarts, as a plan
  3. 9Affirmative vote
  4. 10Fan of fine fare
  5. 11Consider possible, but not guaranteed
  6. 13Dark
  7. 14___ Fifth Avenue
  8. 15Country that's home to Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
  9. 17Eddie Murphy's character in "Beverly Hills Cop"
  10. 22Orangutans have long ones
  11. 23Clichéd and overused, as a phrase
  12. 24Fruit whose name is 75% vowels
  13. 25Standing upright
  14. 26Org.
  15. 27Sch. near Washington Square Park in Manhattan

Down

  1. 1Honolulu locale
  2. 2Actor Gosling
  3. 3Word that can follow Liberty, Taco or Tinker
  4. 4Animal with "fennec" and "arctic" species
  5. 5"I messed up!"
  6. 6Notion
  7. 7Puppy "kiss"
  8. 8Filming locations
  9. 10___ position (curled-up pose)
  10. 12Enters one by one
  11. 16Frequently
  12. 17Paths of beer pong shots
  13. 18Dec. 25
  14. 19"In ___ of gifts ..."
  15. 20And so on: Abbr.
  16. 21So far
  17. 22One level below the big leagues

The answer to “Clichéd and overused, as a phrase” in the New York Times Midi crossword is TRITE — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on October 14, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 23-Across. 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.

“Clichéd and overused, as a phrase” answer

TRITE (5 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is TRITE.

What does TRITE mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of TRITE is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(adjective)

  • (of a remark or idea) lacking originality or freshness; dull on account of overuse

When else has “Clichéd and overused, as a phrase” 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.

October 14, 2026 (most recent) → TRITE. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Clichéd and overused, as a phrase”?

The answer is TRITE, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on October 14, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Clichéd and overused, as a phrase”?

5 letters: TRITE.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on October 14, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 23-Across.

Can “Clichéd and overused, as a phrase” 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 this day's NYT Midi answers?

The full grid for October 14, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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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