Criticism
Editorially verified for the Oct 11, 2026
17 Down
Scroll down for rest of crossword answers
Clue explained
Flak means criticism, especially in the phrase “take flak.” The word first referred to anti-aircraft fire; it comes from a German abbreviation for an aircraft-defense cannon. Its figurative use turns withering criticism into a barrage someone has to withstand.
- Clue type:
- Definition
NYT Midi Crossword
This clue's Sunday, October 11, 2026 appearance
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
The answer to “Criticism” in the New York Times Midi crossword is FLAK — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on October 11, 2026 at 17-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.
“Criticism” answer
FLAK (4 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 FLAK.
What does FLAK mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of FLAK is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- strong criticism
- anti-aircraft fire
When else has “Criticism” 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 11, 2026 (most recent) → FLAK. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Criticism”?
The answer is FLAK, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on October 11, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Criticism”?
4 letters: FLAK.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on October 11, 2026, at 17-Down.
Can “Criticism” 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.
Crossword Clues
Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.