"'Tis a real letdown ..."
Crossword Answer — July 19, 2026
When disappointment strikes, this word perfectly captures that feeling of regret. 😔
Tap each tile or show full answer below
NYT Midi Crossword
Sunday, July 19, 2026
By Hanh Huynh
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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. Baldwin of "30 Rock" — Answer: ALEC. Hint: This actor shares a surname with a famous clan in Hollywood! 🎭
- 5. They/___ pronouns — Answer: THEM. Hint: Think about the pronouns that are often used to refer to groups or individuals! 👫
- 9. What magma becomes when ejected from a volcano — Answer: LAVA. Hint: Think of what flows down the sides of a volcano and can create new land! 🌋
- 10. See-through, as fabric — Answer: SHEER. Hint: Think about a fabric that's light and almost transparent, perfect for a breezy summer outfit! 🌬️
- 11. Sign-off at the end of a prayer — Answer: AMEN. Hint: It's often said in agreement or affirmation after a heartfelt wish. 🙏
- 12. Snorts like a pig — Answer: OINKS. Hint: What sound do you hear when a pig is delighted? 🐖
- 13. U.S. state capital whose name is Spanish for "holy faith" — Answer: SANTAFE. Hint: This capital shares its name with a religious term in Spanish, hinting at its historical significance! ✨
- 15. Comedian/actress who wrote the 2011 best seller "Bossypants" — Answer: TINAFEY. Hint: This funny lady is known for her sharp wit and created a hit show called '30 Rock'! 😂
- 18. Car blemish that might be fixed with a toilet plunger — Answer: DENT. Hint: When your car has a little bump, sometimes a plunger can help smooth it out! 🚗
- 19. Irk — Answer: VEX. Hint: What’s something that can get under your skin and annoy you? 😠
- 21. Homestretch of a project ... or a homophonic hint to the ends of 13- and 15-Across, collectively? — Answer: FINALPHASE. Hint: Think about the last stage of your efforts before the big reveal! 🎉
- 24. "I just played my second-to-last card!," in a game — Answer: UNO. Hint: Think of a fun card game where the goal is to yell before anyone else! 🎴
- 25. Wears away — Answer: ERODES. Hint: Think about how something might slowly diminish over time, much like nature's touch! 🌿
- 26. Neither here ___ there — Answer: NOR. Hint: This word often comes up when you're indicating something is absent from two places! 🚫
- 27. What a 22-Down knows, with "the" — Answer: ROPES. Hint: This term describes insider knowledge or tricks of the trade! 🧑🏭
Down
- 1. "'Tis a real letdown ..." — Answer: ALAS. Hint: When disappointment strikes, this word perfectly captures that feeling of regret. 😔
- 2. Dalai ___ — Answer: LAMA. Hint: This spiritual leader is often associated with Tibet and wisdom. 🧘♂️
- 3. Steadiness of personality — Answer: EVENTENOR. Hint: Think of a quality that suggests unwavering calm and consistent character! 🌟
- 4. Mexican saloon — Answer: CANTINA. Hint: This lively spot is perfect for enjoying tacos and tequila! 🍹
- 5. Robber — Answer: THIEF. Hint: This sneaky character often operates in the shadows, taking what doesn't belong to them! 🕵️
- 6. Farm incubator — Answer: HEN. Hint: This feathered friend is known for hatching eggs on the farm! 🐔
- 7. Startled cry — Answer: EEK. Hint: When you see something spooky, this sound might escape your lips! 👻
- 8. "___ Doubtfire" — Answer: MRS. Hint: Think of a beloved character who expertly balances parenting with a clever disguise! 🎭
- 10. Furniture found in the phrase "works of art" — Answer: SOFA. Hint: It's a comfy place to relax while admiring creativity! 🛋️
- 14. Weapon for an elk — Answer: ANTLER. Hint: This natural tool can be quite sharp, especially in a forest duel! 🦌
- 16. Slip past — Answer: EVADE. Hint: Think of how one might dodge a tricky situation! 🕵️
- 17. Affirmative responses — Answer: YESES. Hint: When you agree with someone, you often say this! 👍
- 18. T. rex, for one — Answer: DINO. Hint: Think of creatures from a long time ago that roamed the Earth! 🦖
- 20. Strike marks at the alley — Answer: XES. Hint: Think of the marks you make when you knock down those pins! 🎳
- 21. "How delightful!" — Answer: FUN. Hint: When something brings you joy, it's often described as this! 😄
- 22. Expert — Answer: PRO. Hint: Think of someone who's really good at what they do! 💡
- 23. Bounce — Answer: HOP. Hint: Think of a joyful leap you might take on a sunny day! 🦘
The answer to “"'Tis a real letdown ..."” in the New York Times Midi crossword is ALAS — a 4-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 19, 2026, a Sunday puzzle, at 1-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.
“"'Tis a real letdown ..."” answer
ALAS (4 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 ALAS.
Why the answer is ALAS
When disappointment strikes, this word perfectly captures that feeling of regret. 😔
When else has “"'Tis a real letdown ..."” 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 19, 2026 (this puzzle) → ALAS. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.
More clues from the NYT Midi crossword on July 19, 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.
- Baldwin of "30 Rock" → ALEC
- What magma becomes when ejected from a volcano → LAVA
- Sign-off at the end of a prayer → AMEN
- U.S. state capital whose name is Spanish for "holy faith" → SANTAFE
- Dalai ___ → LAMA
- Steadiness of personality → EVENTENOR
- Mexican saloon → CANTINA
- They/___ pronouns → THEM
Want every clue in one place? The full New York Times Midi answer list for July 19, 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 “"'Tis a real letdown ..."”?
The answer is ALAS, a 4-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 19, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “"'Tis a real letdown ..."”?
4 letters: ALAS.
Where did this clue appear?
In the New York Times Midi crossword on July 19, 2026 (a Sunday puzzle), at 1-Down.
Can “"'Tis a real letdown ..."” 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 19, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.