The Crossword Answers NYT - September 20, 2026

across

• Special-ordered Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  CUSTOM

• Sections of a circle's circumference Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ARCS

• NASCAR stat that varies widely by venue Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  LAPTIME

• Banderas of 2024's "Babygirl" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ANTONIO

• Coaster feature, maybe Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  LOOP

• Assembles in proper order Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  COLLATES

• Mar, as a reputation Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  TARNISH

• See 25-Across Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  FOUR

• Maligns Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ASPERSES

• With 23-Across, March Madness tournament round Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  SWEETTWO

• Mouths (off) Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  SPOUTS

• Pact that preceded the U.S.M.C.A Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  NAFTA

• Burnable bog stuff Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  PEAT

• Burnt chimney stuff Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  SOOT

• High-speed Olympic sport Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  LUGE

• See 37-Across Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  TWO

• One who might have perfect pitch? Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ADMAN

• With 34-Across, full extent of something Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  WHOLETHREEYARDS

• "Holy moly!" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  GOD

• Defensive player who keeps an eye on the QB, in football lingo Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  SPY

• Red-coated cheese Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  EDAM

• "___ funny!" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  TOO

• Bigwig Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  HOTSHOT

• Own (up) Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  FESS

• It's off the wall! Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  RICOCHET

• "Red" or "1989," to Swifties Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ERA

• Buck ___, first African American coach in Major League Baseball Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ONEIL

• Extremely soft, in music: Abbr Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  PPP

• See 64-Across Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  THREE

• Chew the fat Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  YAK

• With 62-Across, Beatles classic with the lyric "Will you still need me / Will you still feed me" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  WHENIMFOUR

• Noted exile isle Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ELBA

• Energy-efficient bulb, for short Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  LED

• ___ orange, tree whose fruit has a brainlike appearance Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  OSAGE

• Native Nebraskans Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  OTOES

• See 78-Across Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  SIX

• Author who purportedly drew inspiration from a filing cabinet labeled "O-Z" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  BAUM

• With 75-Across, "So very appreciated!" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  THANKSATEN

• Hold up Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ROB

• Narnia or Neverland Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  REALM

• Give it a whirl Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  TRY

• Violinmaker of Cremona Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  AMATI

• Letters from your folks? Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  DNA

• "So cool!" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  REALNEAT

• Follower of John in the New Testament Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ACTS

• Chef with "New New Orleans"-style cooking Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  LAGASSE

• Greatest guy? Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ALI

• See 101-Across Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ZERO

• Vent Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  AIR

• Part of SCOTUS Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  THE

• With 97-Across, Vegas casino machine Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  NINEARMEDBANDIT

• No-cash deal Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  TRADE

• Lay off Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  CAN

• Culprit, in police lingo Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  PERP

• Modern pentathlon equipment Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  EPEE

• Metaphor for a too-hot room Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  OVEN

• Actress Christine whose last name sounds like a pair of musical notes Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  LAHTI

• Ill will Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  MALICE

• Number written above and to the right of another number … as seen five times in this puzzle? Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  EXPONENT

• Weigh down, and then some Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  OVERLOAD

• Number with a 120-Across, mathematically Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  BASE

• Armand of "American Gangster" Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ASSANTE

• Many mailbox stuffers Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  LOCALADS

• Zest Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  ELAN

• Iced tea request Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  NOSUGAR

• Clumsy Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  AWKWARD

• Move fast, as a cloud Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  SCUD

• Road trip stopovers Crossword Clue

  Reveal Answer

  MOTELS