It may be mental

Latest answer — August 16, 2026

72 Across

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Clue explained

An IMAGE may be mental rather than visual: a person can form an image or picture in the mind.

Clue type:
Definition
An illustration representing a thought or mental image.

NYT Crossword

This clue's Sunday, August 16, 2026 appearance

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Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 108Calm
  2. 120Even

Down

  1. 40Bum
  2. 58Bag
  3. 109Poop
  4. 111Hide
  5. 113Vet

The answer to “It may be mental” in the New York Times crossword is IMAGE — a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on August 16, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 72-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.

“It may be mental” answer

IMAGE (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 IMAGE.

What does IMAGE mean?

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

(noun)

  • a representation of the external form of a person or thing in art
  • the general impression that a person, organization, or product presents to the public
  • a simile or metaphor

When else has “It may be mental” appeared?

New York Times 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.

August 16, 2026 (most recent) → IMAGE. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “It may be mental”?

The answer is IMAGE, a 5-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on August 16, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “It may be mental”?

5 letters: IMAGE.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on August 16, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 72-Across.

Can “It may be mental” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times 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 Crossword answers?

The full grid for August 16, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times 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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