NYT Crossword Clues & Answers - Jul 9

Thursday, July 09, 2026

By Brad Wiegmann and Nat Wiegmann

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

NYT Crossword Clues

Across

1In vogue
5Seal hunter
9Some rudiments to be learned
13Flex time?
14Stern
15Container for peaches
17*Honeybunch
19Group of spellers?
20Title in "Beowulf"
21Back-to-basics regimen
23Grp. of peacekeepers
25*Afternoon socials
26Caddies, in golf slang
29Part of a blind
30Partner of ends
31Some messages from a road trip, in brief
33Scare off
37Many a golden parachute recipient, in brief
38Renounced ... or a phonetic hint to reading the answers to the starred clues
40Sanskrit name meaning "extraordinary"
41Capital close to the confluence of the Red and Black rivers
43Gaels of the N.C.A.A.
44Battling
45Piece of cake
47Food processor
49*Worms or flies, often
53Do some laps
54Right now
56___ Hamilton, author of the classic "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes"
59Sass
60*___ Beach, Calif.
62Hit 1977 musical that included Franklin D. Roosevelt as a character
63Juniors, e.g.
64Trails
65"Yikes!"
66Rowers' workout machines, informally
67Straddling

Down

1Anatomical pouch
2"Star Wars" planet where Luke Skywalker rides a tauntaun
3Dinosaur named for a lizard tooth
4Quick timeouts?
5AAA or B.B.B.
6Bring in
7200 milligrams
8Sketchy activities?
9Kudo
10Guys' night out
11Trivial objection
12Symbol of strength and solidity
16Tonsillectomy docs
18French crown?
22Wing
24Hydrox lookalike
26Lomond, for one
27Old theaters
28Show that ends in disarray?
32Long time follower?
34Dojo furnishing
35It's a long story
36One of the six sluggers on baseball's Murderer's Row
38Spent
39"Curly W" team
42Caucasus region
44Padmé ___ (mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker)
46Horned viper
48Is underwater
49S.E.C. football powerhouse, informally
50United
51Tried to hit a baseball
52Taste
55Double-decker checker
57Benin neighbor
58Door fastener
61Jerk

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Across

1. In vogue — Answer: CHIC. Hint: Think of a style that's always trendy and effortlessly cool! 🕶️
5. Seal hunter — Answer: ORCA. Hint: This intelligent marine mammal is known for its striking black and white appearance and is often seen hunting in packs. 🐋
9. Some rudiments to be learned — Answer: ABCS. Hint: Think of the very first steps in learning something new! 📚
13. Flex time? — Answer: YOGA. Hint: Consider a practice that helps you stretch your body and mind! 🧘‍♀️
14. Stern — Answer: REAR. Hint: Think about the opposite of the front of a vehicle! 🚗
15. Container for peaches — Answer: CRATE. Hint: Think of a sturdy box that holds fruit, especially when it's being shipped! 🍑
17. *Honeybunch — Answer: STUTTGART. Hint: This city is known for its beer and beautiful gardens in Germany! 🍻
19. Group of spellers? — Answer: COVEN. Hint: Think of a gathering with a bit of magic and mischief! ✨
20. Title in "Beowulf" — Answer: THANE. Hint: This noble title often denotes a warrior or lord in ancient tales! ⚔️
21. Back-to-basics regimen — Answer: PALEODIET. Hint: Think of an eating plan that favors ancient foods for modern health! 🥦
23. Grp. of peacekeepers — Answer: NATO. Hint: This alliance was formed to promote collective defense and stability among its members. 🌍
25. *Afternoon socials — Answer: TELLALLS. Hint: These conversations often spill the tea and share the gossip! ☕
26. Caddies, in golf slang — Answer: LOOPERS. Hint: These helpful companions are often seen alongside golfers, ready to lend a hand! 🏌️
29. Part of a blind — Answer: SLAT. Hint: This thin piece helps control light in a window covering! 🪟
30. Partner of ends — Answer: ODDS. Hint: Think about the chances you take in a game of chance! 🎲
31. Some messages from a road trip, in brief — Answer: ETAS. Hint: Think of quick updates you might send during your travels! 🚗
33. Scare off — Answer: DETER. Hint: Think of what you might do to keep unwanted guests away! 👻
37. Many a golden parachute recipient, in brief — Answer: CEO. Hint: Think of the head of a company who often makes headlines for big payoffs! 💼
38. Renounced ... or a phonetic hint to reading the answers to the starred clues — Answer: FORGONE. Hint: Sometimes you let go of something for a better future! 🌅
40. Sanskrit name meaning "extraordinary" — Answer: APU. Hint: Think of a character from a popular animated movie who hails from India! 🐒
41. Capital close to the confluence of the Red and Black rivers — Answer: HANOI. Hint: This bustling city is known for its vibrant street life and rich history in Vietnam! 🇻🇳
43. Gaels of the N.C.A.A. — Answer: IONA. Hint: This school's name might remind you of a famous saint or a lush Irish landscape! 🍀
44. Battling — Answer: ATIT. Hint: Think about a situation where conflict and competition are at play! ⚔️
45. Piece of cake — Answer: SNAP. Hint: When something is super easy, it can be as simple as this! 🍰
47. Food processor — Answer: STOMACH. Hint: This organ breaks down your meals for nourishment! 🍽️
49. *Worms or flies, often — Answer: BASSISTS. Hint: These musicians often provide the foundation in a band, just like the bait in fishing! 🎸
53. Do some laps — Answer: SWIM. Hint: Think of a refreshing activity often enjoyed in a pool! 🏊
54. Right now — Answer: ASWESPEAK. Hint: Think about how you would describe something happening at this very moment! ⏳
56. ___ Hamilton, author of the classic "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" — Answer: EDITH. Hint: This author's name might remind you of a famous musical! 🎭
59. Sass — Answer: MOUTH. Hint: When someone speaks boldly or cheekily, they often do it with this part of their face! 😏
60. *___ Beach, Calif. — Answer: APIASAMOA. Hint: This beach name might remind you of a famous Polynesian island! 🌴
62. Hit 1977 musical that included Franklin D. Roosevelt as a character — Answer: ANNIE. Hint: This beloved musical features a plucky orphan and her adventures during the Great Depression! 🎭
63. Juniors, e.g. — Answer: SONS. Hint: Think of young male offspring in a family! 👦
64. Trails — Answer: LAGS. Hint: When you're falling behind, you might just be in the race's wake! 🏃‍♂️
65. "Yikes!" — Answer: EGAD. Hint: When something surprises you, this exclamation might just slip out! 😲
66. Rowers' workout machines, informally — Answer: ERGS. Hint: These machines are a staple in rowing gyms, often used for training and technique practice! 🚣‍♂️
67. Straddling — Answer: ATOP. Hint: Think about being positioned directly over something! 🏔️

Down

1. Anatomical pouch — Answer: CYST. Hint: This small sac can be found in various places in the body, often filled with fluid! 🩺
2. "Star Wars" planet where Luke Skywalker rides a tauntaun — Answer: HOTH. Hint: Think of the icy world from the original trilogy where snow battles take place! ❄️
3. Dinosaur named for a lizard tooth — Answer: IGUANODON. Hint: This herbivorous dinosaur shares its name with a modern-day reptile known for its distinctive teeth! 🦖
4. Quick timeouts? — Answer: CATNAPS. Hint: A brief snooze can be purr-fect for recharging! 😸
5. AAA or B.B.B. — Answer: ORG. Hint: Think about groups that often come with letters like these! 🏢
6. Bring in — Answer: REAP. Hint: It's time to gather what's been sown! 🌾
7. 200 milligrams — Answer: CARAT. Hint: Think about the weight measure often associated with precious stones! 💎
8. Sketchy activities? — Answer: ARTLESSONS. Hint: Sometimes creativity can lead to unexpected surprises! 🎨
9. Kudo — Answer: ACCOLADE. Hint: This word is often used to describe a compliment or tribute for a job well done! 🌟
10. Guys' night out — Answer: BRODATE. Hint: Think of a fun evening spent bonding with your male friends! 🍻
11. Trivial objection — Answer: CAVIL. Hint: Sometimes a little fuss can lead to a debate! 🤔
12. Symbol of strength and solidity — Answer: STEEL. Hint: Think of a material that's tough and often used in construction! 🔨
16. Tonsillectomy docs — Answer: ENTS. Hint: These specialists help keep your throat in top shape! 👨‍⚕️
18. French crown? — Answer: TETE. Hint: Think about what sits atop a head and is often adorned in royalty! 👑
22. Wing — Answer: ELL. Hint: Think of a word that could describe a part of a bird's anatomy! 🐦
24. Hydrox lookalike — Answer: OREO. Hint: This sweet treat often comes in a classic black-and-white color scheme! 🍪
26. Lomond, for one — Answer: LOCH. Hint: Think of a Scottish body of water often surrounded by hills! 🌊
27. Old theaters — Answer: ODEA. Hint: Think of places where ancient performances took the spotlight! 🎭
28. Show that ends in disarray? — Answer: STRIPTEASE. Hint: This tantalizing performance reveals more than just a talent! 💃
32. Long time follower? — Answer: AGO. Hint: Think back to a point in time that seems distant! 🕰️
34. Dojo furnishing — Answer: TATAMIMAT. Hint: It's the padded surface where martial arts practice comes alive! 🥋
35. It's a long story — Answer: EPIC. Hint: Think of a tale that’s grand in scope and often includes heroic deeds! 📖
36. One of the six sluggers on baseball's Murderer's Row — Answer: RUTH. Hint: Think of the legendary player known for his home run prowess! ⚾
38. Spent — Answer: FINISHED. Hint: When you've completed all your tasks, you might say you've done this! ✅
39. "Curly W" team — Answer: NATS. Hint: This team's home games are played in a city known for its monuments and politics! ⚾
42. Caucasus region — Answer: OSSETIA. Hint: Think of a region nestled between Europe and Asia, rich in culture and history! 🏔️
44. Padmé ___ (mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker) — Answer: AMIDALA. Hint: This character is a pivotal figure in a galaxy far, far away! 🌌
46. Horned viper — Answer: ASP. Hint: This slithery creature is known for its distinctive venomous bite! 🐍
48. Is underwater — Answer: OWES. Hint: Consider what one might owe when submerged in the depths of the sea! 🌊
49. S.E.C. football powerhouse, informally — Answer: BAMA. Hint: This southern state is known for its gridiron glory and sweet tea! 🏈
50. United — Answer: ASONE. Hint: Think of a word that means together or in harmony! 🤝
51. Tried to hit a baseball — Answer: SWUNG. Hint: When you're at bat, you make a motion to connect with the ball! ⚾
52. Taste — Answer: SAPOR. Hint: Think of a flavor that dances on your palate! 🍽️
55. Double-decker checker — Answer: KING. Hint: Think of the highest piece in a game that can move across the board with ease! 👑
57. Benin neighbor — Answer: TOGO. Hint: This small West African country shares a border with Benin and is known for its palm-lined beaches! 🌴
58. Door fastener — Answer: HASP. Hint: Think of a simple device that keeps things secure when you lock up! 🔒
61. Jerk — Answer: ASS. Hint: Sometimes you might call someone a real pain in the neck! 😏

Here are the NYT Crossword answers for Thursday, July 9, 2026 — every solution for that day's 15×15 (21×21 on Sunday) puzzle, listed at the top of this page. Whether you're catching up on a puzzle you missed, settling a “what was the answer on July 9?” question, or checking a grid you finished that day, the complete clue-by-clue solution is right here. Looking for today's puzzle instead? Head to our live NYT Crossword answers page.

NYT Crossword answers for July 9, 2026

The full solution for the July 9 NYT Crossword is shown above, laid out clue by clue — every Across answer followed by every Down answer, exactly as that day's grid read. Each answer is listed separately, so you can check just the clue you were stuck on and leave the rest. This is the confirmed grid as published on Thursday, July 9.

Hints for the July 9 puzzle

Not ready for the full answer? Here are lighter, spoiler-free nudges for that day's grid, above the solutions. The July 9 puzzle fell on a Thursday, and with the New York Times crossword that matters: the grid gets harder as the week goes on, from an easy Monday to a fiendish Saturday, with a large themed puzzle on Sunday. So a Thursday grid tells you how much misdirection to expect — and if a clue that day seemed to make no sense, the weekday is usually the reason. Use the hints for the trickiest clues, then reveal the answers above only if you need them.

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Frequently asked questions

What were the NYT Crossword answers on July 9, 2026?

Every answer for the Thursday, July 9, 2026 NYT Crossword is listed at the top of this page — the confirmed grid as published that day.

Where can I find today's NYT Crossword answers?

Today's live puzzle is on our NYT Crossword answers today page, updated the moment each new grid goes live.

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