Times Cryptic Crossword Answers - Aug 23

By David McLean

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Across

  1. 1Being primarily lonely, I iron with class
  2. 5Shower manufacturer payment minister recalled
  3. 9Flyers for race plastered around island
  4. 10Way Republican restrains single or joint authority?
  5. 12Officers in Sussex on surveillance
  6. 13I must stop playing the piano in Foreigner
  7. 14Opener at the crease enthrals queen with Jos Buttler shot, mostly
  8. 18Where Marathon Man may appear eventually
  9. 21Best thing in hand for the prime minister, say
  10. 23Festival not attended by tense relief worker?
  11. 24Maiden in Dancing on Ice creates interest, perhaps
  12. 25Man takes hour to get space in gas station
  13. 26Wrong time for the French to visit mum
  14. 27King who corrects Shylock?

Down

  1. 1Jumper primate puts on clerk (frayed at edges)
  2. 2Female on flight creates beastly issue
  3. 3Deceive partner to secure small victory over board
  4. 4A certain role adapted for play
  5. 6Opening in satin trousers
  6. 7Thieving company one put in the dock
  7. 8Trump is one to cover up current state
  8. 11Job to get chart entries for elderly rocker and Move producer?
  9. 15A union in East End needing change revolted
  10. 16Ducks in metal buckets delivered by Spooner
  11. 17Exceptional year in foreign capital
  12. 19Having missed first, others will catch my train
  13. 20Coat salesman sent north to cross border
  14. 22A big noise bored by masculine office work

Here are the Times Cryptic Crossword answers for Sunday, August 23, 2026 — every solution for that day's flagship 15×15 cryptic (anonymous setters, in the tradition that began with Adrian Bell in 1930), listed at the top of this page. Whether you're catching up on a puzzle you missed, settling a “what was the answer on August 23?” 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 Times Cryptic Crossword answers page.

Times Cryptic Crossword answers for August 23, 2026

The full solution for the August 23 Times Cryptic 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 Sunday, August 23.

Full Times Cryptic Crossword answer list for August 23, 2026

Every clue from the August 23 grid next to its solution — the same answers as the board above, in one plain list you can scan without tapping.

Across

#ClueAnswer
1Being primarily lonely, I iron with classLIFEFORM
5Shower manufacturer payment minister recalledNIMBUS
9Flyers for race plastered around islandAIRFORCE
10Way Republican restrains single or joint authority?STONER
12Officers in Sussex on surveillanceEXONS
13I must stop playing the piano in ForeignerETHIOPIAN
14Opener at the crease enthrals queen with Jos Buttler shot, mostlyBATTERINGRAM
18Where Marathon Man may appear eventuallyINTHELONGRUN
21Best thing in hand for the prime minister, sayTOPBANANA
23Festival not attended by tense relief worker?EASER
24Maiden in Dancing on Ice creates interest, perhapsINCOME
25Man takes hour to get space in gas stationCHATROOM
26Wrong time for the French to visit mumSILENT
27King who corrects Shylock?CREDITOR

Down

#ClueAnswer
1Jumper primate puts on clerk (frayed at edges)LEAPER
2Female on flight creates beastly issueFARROW
3Deceive partner to secure small victory over boardFOOLSMATE
4A certain role adapted for playRECREATIONAL
6Opening in satin trousersINTRO
7Thieving company one put in the dockBANDITRY
8Trump is one to cover up current stateSURINAME
11Job to get chart entries for elderly rocker and Move producer?CHOREGRAPHER
15A union in East End needing change revoltedNAUSEATED
16Ducks in metal buckets delivered by SpoonerPINTAILS
17Exceptional year in foreign capitalATYPICAL
19Having missed first, others will catch my trainESCORT
20Coat salesman sent north to cross borderPRIMER
22A big noise bored by masculine office workADMIN

Hints for the August 23 cryptic

Not ready for the full answer? Here are lighter, spoiler-free nudges for that day's grid, above the solutions. The August 23 Times Cryptic was a Sunday 15×15 of classic British cryptic wordplay — anonymous setters, fair definitions with a second layer of anagrams, charades or double meanings. Many solvers find later weekdays tougher than Monday; if a clue that day felt especially layered, the weekday is often part of why. Use the hints first, then reveal the answers above only if you need them.

Looking for a different day?

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Frequently asked questions

What were the Times Cryptic Crossword answers on August 23, 2026?

Every across and down answer for the Sunday, August 23, 2026 Times Cryptic is listed at the top of this page — the confirmed 15×15 cryptic as published that day, with anonymous setters in the paper's tradition since 1930.

Was the Sunday Times Cryptic harder than usual?

The Times does not publish an official Monday-to-Saturday difficulty ladder like the NYT, but many solvers find later weekdays tougher than Monday. The Sunday, August 23 grid sits in that informal weekly rhythm — use the hints above if a clue felt especially layered.

Where can I find today's Times Cryptic answers?

Today's live puzzle is on our Times Cryptic Crossword answers today page, updated as soon as each new grid goes live.

How do I look up a different date?

Use the previous/next links above to step day by day, or open the today page to browse the full dated archive.

The Times Cryptic Crossword is published by The Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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