Crossword Answer
Exactly right
Think of a phrase that means something is perfectly accurate! 🎯
Click a tile to reveal each letter, or show the full answer below.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
By Ian Livengood
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
NYT Midi Crossword Clues
Across
Down
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Zip — Answer: ZERO. Hint: Think of the absence of something, like in a scoreboard! ➖
- 5. Water park ride with floating logs — Answer: FLUME. Hint: Think of a thrilling water adventure that often takes you on a twisting journey! 🌊
- 10. "Preach!" — Answer: AMEN. Hint: It's often said at the end of a heartfelt statement in church! 🙏
- 11. Toy bricks — Answer: LEGOS. Hint: These colorful building blocks are a favorite for kids and adults alike! 🧱
- 12. What political science majors study: Abbr. — Answer: GOVT. Hint: It’s all about the rules and systems of society! 🏛️
- 13. Not cool — Answer: UNHIP. Hint: If you’re not in the loop, you might be seen as a bit out of touch! 😎
- 14. "Hold My ___" (2022 Lady Gaga hit) — Answer: HAND. Hint: Imagine lending someone your support when they need it most! 🤝
- 16. Where the six states circled in this puzzle are located geographically (in their proper places!) — Answer: NEWENGLAND. Hint: Think of a region in the Northeast known for its fall foliage and charming small towns! 🍂
- 22. N.F.L. group crouching before the snap, informally — Answer: OLINE. Hint: Think of the protective wall that supports the quarterback before the play begins! 🏈
- 23. "The Raven" poet — Answer: POE. Hint: Think of a master of macabre poetry who might haunt your thoughts. 🦇
- 24. Reject, as a bill from Congress — Answer: VETO. Hint: Sometimes, a decision needs a firm "no" to keep things in check! 🛑
- 25. Buddhist principle of cause and effect — Answer: KARMA. Hint: What goes around comes around in the realm of good and bad! 🌟
- 27. Performs at a studio lot — Answer: ACTS. Hint: Think about what actors do in front of the camera! 🎬
- 28. ___ Tuck (Robin Hood's friend) — Answer: FRIAR. Hint: Think of a chubby fellow known for his jolliness in tales of valor! 🍻
- 29. Eye irritation — Answer: STYE. Hint: This pesky bump can make you squint! 👁️
- 30. They might keep you in bed — Answer: COLDS. Hint: Sometimes they come knocking when the weather changes! 🤒
Down
- 1. Zig's opposite — Answer: ZAG. Hint: To change direction unexpectedly can make quite the difference! 🔄
- 2. Music genre that emerged from the '80s D.C. punk scene — Answer: EMO. Hint: Think of a genre that expresses deep emotions, often with a punk twist! 🎸
- 3. Fire (up) — Answer: REV. Hint: Think of what you do to ignite enthusiasm or energy! 🔥
- 4. Exactly right — Answer: ONTHENOSE. Hint: Think of a phrase that means something is perfectly accurate! 🎯
- 5. Tossed with force — Answer: FLUNG. Hint: Imagine sending something through the air with a burst of energy! 💨
- 6. Ivan ___, eight-time Grand Slam tournament winner from 1984 to 1990 — Answer: LENDL. Hint: This tennis legend hailed from Czechoslovakia and is known for his powerful baseline shots! 🎾
- 7. "Well, this isn't great" — Answer: UGH. Hint: A common expression of frustration or dismay, often accompanied by a sigh or groan! 😩
- 8. "Excusez-___" — Answer: MOI. Hint: Think of a playful way to say 'me' in French! 🇫🇷
- 9. Mind-reading ability, for short — Answer: ESP. Hint: Some claim it lets you see into others' thoughts! 🧠
- 15. Suffix with hex- or prop- — Answer: ANE. Hint: Think of a common ending for names of hydrocarbons! 🔬
- 16. Exploding stars — Answer: NOVAS. Hint: These cosmic events light up the night sky with a brilliant burst! ✨
- 17. Vote into office — Answer: ELECT. Hint: Think about the process of choosing leaders in a democratic setting! 🗳️
- 18. Quick with punny responses, say — Answer: WITTY. Hint: Think of someone who always has a clever comeback ready! 🧠
- 19. Its showers bring May flowers, in a saying — Answer: APRIL. Hint: This month is famous for its rain and blossoming buds! 🌷
- 20. Wanderer — Answer: NOMAD. Hint: This person prefers to roam and never settle down for too long! 🌍
- 21. Sweeties — Answer: DEARS. Hint: Think of affectionate terms for loved ones! ❤️
- 25. Fast-food chain that follows exactly 11 accounts on X, as a nod to the 11 herbs and spices in its secret recipe — Answer: KFC. Hint: This finger-lickin' favorite is known for its secret blend of flavors! 🍗
- 26. Certain queer identity, in brief — Answer: ARO. Hint: Think about a romantic orientation that doesn’t seek partnership in that way! 🌈
The answer to “Exactly right” in the New York Times Midi crossword is ONTHENOSE — a 9-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 16, 2026, a Thursday puzzle, at 4-Down. If it's the entry standing between you and a clean grid, that's the word you need — and below you'll find why it fits, plus links to the day's other clues if more than one square is giving you trouble.
“Exactly right” answer
ONTHENOSE (9 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 ONTHENOSE.
Why the answer is ONTHENOSE
Think of a phrase that means something is perfectly accurate! 🎯
When else has “Exactly right” 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 before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.
July 16, 2026 (this puzzle) → ONTHENOSE. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.
More clues from the NYT Midi crossword on July 16, 2026
Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.
- Zip → ZERO
- "Preach!" → AMEN
- What political science majors study: Abbr. → GOVT
- "Hold My ___" (2022 Lady Gaga hit) → HAND
- Where the six states circled in this puzzle are located geographically (in their proper places!) → NEWENGLAND
- N.F.L. group crouching before the snap, informally → OLINE
- Reject, as a bill from Congress → VETO
- Performs at a studio lot → ACTS
Want every clue in one place? The full New York Times Midi answer list for July 16, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Midi answers are always one tap from the today page.
About the NYT Midi Crossword
The New York Times Midi is the mid-size daily puzzle between the Mini and the full crossword — typically a 7×7 grid that still rewards quick pattern recognition. Because the Midi is compact, one stubborn clue can jam the whole solve, which is why a confirmed answer and a short explanation help most when you're stuck on a single square.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Exactly right”?
The answer is ONTHENOSE, a 9-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 16, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Exactly right”?
9 letters: ONTHENOSE.
Where did this clue appear?
In the New York Times Midi crossword on July 16, 2026 (a Thursday puzzle), at 4-Down.
Can “Exactly right” 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 July 16, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.