Crossword Answer
Rubs out, as a smudge mark
Imagine clearing away a mistake on a paper with a little help! ✏️
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Friday, July 17, 2026
By Kareem Ayas
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Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Concealed — Answer: HID. Hint: Sometimes you need to keep things under wraps! 🤫
- 4. Helium's atomic number — Answer: TWO. Hint: Think about the number of hydrogen atoms in a standard helium atom! 🎈
- 7. ___ Dhabi — Answer: ABU. Hint: This is a common prefix for names of several Middle Eastern cities! 🕌
- 8. Pop singer Rita — Answer: ORA. Hint: This singer's name sounds like the first part of a common phrase for a time of day! 🌅
- 9. Iconic bandmate of Keith Richards — Answer: MICKJAGGER. Hint: Think of the legendary frontman who can't stop moving! 🎤
- 14. Horse on many a stud farm — Answer: STALLION. Hint: This male horse is often sought after for breeding! 🐴
- 15. Apt rhyme with "groan" — Answer: MOAN. Hint: Think about a sound you might make when you're feeling a bit down. 😔
- 16. Actress Jessica of "Sin City" — Answer: ALBA. Hint: She's known for her role in a movie with a dark twist! 🎬
- 19. Large amount — Answer: SLEW. Hint: Think of a flood of something abundant! 🌊
- 23. What a man walks into, in many a joke setup — Answer: BAR. Hint: Imagine a place where the drinks flow and stories unfold! 🍻
- 24. "Either ___!" (geologist's punny response when asked their preference between hematite and carbonate) — Answer: ORE. Hint: When faced with a choice, some might say they simply can't pick a side, especially if minerals are involved! 🪨
- 25. Supportive articles on a run, perhaps — Answer: SPORTSBRAS. Hint: Think of what might keep you comfortable during an active day! 🏃♀️
- 30. Part of an idiom hinted at by 2-/5-Down — Answer: TWOBIRDS. Hint: This phrase suggests getting two things done at once! 🐦
- 31. Part of an idiom hinted at by 9-Across — Answer: ONESTONE. Hint: This phrase suggests accomplishing two things at once, cleverly using minimal effort! 🎯
- 32. Afterthoughts in some letters: Abbr. — Answer: PSS. Hint: Think of a polite reminder often tucked away at the end of a message! ✉️
- 33. Cry for help, at sea — Answer: SOS. Hint: When you're in dire straits on the water, this may be your lifeline! ⛵
Down
- 1. Oft-glazed holiday meat — Answer: HAM. Hint: Think of a savory treat that’s a festive favorite! 🍖
- 2. Tall avian wader — Answer: IBIS. Hint: This long-legged bird is often seen near water, striking a graceful pose! 🦩
- 3. ___ tape — Answer: DUCT. Hint: This tape is a handy solution for fixes around the house! 🛠️
- 4. Like a takeout order — Answer: TOGO. Hint: This is how you might enjoy your food on the go! 🚗
- 5. Small avian singer — Answer: WREN. Hint: This tiny bird is known for its beautiful song and often flits about gardens! 🎶
- 6. "Either ___!" (rower's punny response when asked their preference between wood and carbon fiber) — Answer: OAR. Hint: Think of what a rower uses to propel their boat! 🚣♂️
- 10. ___ Sutra — Answer: KAMA. Hint: This ancient text explores the art of love and relationships. ❤️
- 11. Singer nicknamed "Jenny From the Block" — Answer: JLO. Hint: This pop star is known for her impressive dance moves and hit songs, not to mention her acting career! 🎤
- 12. ___ carte — Answer: ALA. Hint: This phrase refers to ordering dishes individually from a menu, not as a set! 🍽️
- 13. Spirits used to make Negronis — Answer: GINS. Hint: These botanical brews are the life of the cocktail party! 🍸
- 16. Crunch targets — Answer: ABS. Hint: Think about the muscles you work on to get that toned look! 💪
- 17. Computer that fits in a backpack — Answer: LAPTOP. Hint: This portable device makes working on the go a breeze! 💻
- 18. Cleveland football team — Answer: BROWNS. Hint: Think of a color associated with a popular type of bear! 🐻
- 20. "Oh God, this can't be ..." — Answer: LORDNO. Hint: Sometimes, a moment can leave you exclaiming in disbelief! 😱
- 21. Rubs out, as a smudge mark — Answer: ERASES. Hint: Imagine clearing away a mistake on a paper with a little help! ✏️
- 22. Director Craven — Answer: WES. Hint: This director is known for redefining the horror genre, especially with a certain slasher franchise! 🎬
- 26. Fish egg delicacies — Answer: ROES. Hint: These little delicacies often add a touch of luxury to your favorite dishes! 🎣
- 27. Network that aired "American Dad!" — Answer: TBS. Hint: Think of a cable channel known for its comedy and cartoons! 📺
- 28. What a well-trained dog might do for treats — Answer: SIT. Hint: Think about the command a good pup follows for a tasty reward! 🐾
- 29. Dudes — Answer: BROS. Hint: Think of your close male friends who always have your back! 🤜🤛
The answer to “Rubs out, as a smudge mark” in the New York Times Midi crossword is ERASES — a 6-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 17, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 21-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.
“Rubs out, as a smudge mark” answer
ERASES (6 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 ERASES.
Why the answer is ERASES
Imagine clearing away a mistake on a paper with a little help! ✏️
When else has “Rubs out, as a smudge mark” 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 17, 2026 (this puzzle) → ERASES. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.
More clues from the NYT Midi crossword on July 17, 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.
- Large amount → SLEW
- "Either ___!" (geologist's punny response when asked their preference between hematite and carbonate) → ORE
- Supportive articles on a run, perhaps → SPORTSBRAS
- Part of an idiom hinted at by 2-/5-Down → TWOBIRDS
- Part of an idiom hinted at by 9-Across → ONESTONE
- Cry for help, at sea → SOS
- "Oh God, this can't be ..." → LORDNO
- Director Craven → WES
Want every clue in one place? The full New York Times Midi answer list for July 17, 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 “Rubs out, as a smudge mark”?
The answer is ERASES, a 6-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 17, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Rubs out, as a smudge mark”?
6 letters: ERASES.
Where did this clue appear?
In the New York Times Midi crossword on July 17, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 21-Down.
Can “Rubs out, as a smudge mark” 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 17, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.