Our Mini Crossword Hints — September 14, 2026

Across

1 Across: Sound after a big drink of sodaHint

Hint 1: Think about the noise your body might make after fizzy drinks.
Hint 2: It's an impolite little burst of air escaping upward, often followed by an 'excuse me'.
Hint 3: This is a short, involuntary noise from swallowing air, and it starts with B.

5 Across: Paddle-powered boatHint

Hint 1: This is a type of small watercraft you move yourself.
Hint 2: You don't use a motor or sail—you use a single-bladed paddle while kneeling or sitting low.
Hint 3: It's a narrow, lightweight boat propelled by paddling, and it starts with C.

6 Across: Spot where a couple says 'I do'Hint

Hint 1: Think about a traditional wedding ceremony setting.
Hint 2: It's the raised platform or structure at the front of a church where vows are exchanged.
Hint 3: This is the sacred spot couples stand at to get married, and it starts with A.

7 Across: Smug little smileHint

Hint 1: This describes a facial expression showing self-satisfaction.
Hint 2: It's not a warm smile—it's the kind of sly grin someone gives when they know something you don't.
Hint 3: This is a conceited, knowing kind of smile, and it starts with S.

8 Across: Body parts protected by eyelidsHint

Hint 1: Think about which body parts have a built-in protective flap.
Hint 2: These are the organs you use to see, and blinking helps shield them from dust.
Hint 3: These are your organs of sight, and the word starts with E.

Down

1 Down: Pleasantly warm, as weatherHint

Hint 1: This word describes comfortable outdoor temperatures.
Hint 2: Think of a gentle, mild breeze on a spring day—not too hot, not too cold.
Hint 3: This means pleasantly mild in temperature, and it starts with B.

2 Down: Undo, as shoelacesHint

Hint 1: This is the opposite of tying something up.
Hint 2: You'd do this to your sneakers before taking them off.
Hint 3: This means to loosen or unfasten laces, and it starts with U.

3 Down: Lion's mighty soundsHint

Hint 1: Think about the loud sound a big jungle cat makes.
Hint 2: This is the powerful vocalization associated with the 'king of the jungle'.
Hint 3: These are the loud, fierce sounds lions make, and the word starts with R.

4 Down: Job benefit like health insuranceHint

Hint 1: This is something extra you get from your workplace beyond your paycheck.
Hint 2: Health insurance or a gym membership might count as this kind of bonus.
Hint 3: This is an extra employment advantage besides salary, and it starts with P.

5 Down: Detective's assignmentHint

Hint 1: This is what a private investigator works on.
Hint 2: Think of a specific investigation or file a detective is trying to solve.
Hint 3: This is the matter or file a sleuth is assigned to solve, and it starts with C.

Before you open a hint

Mini #349 has ten clues, so this page holds 30 hints. Hint 1 points you at the idea, hint 2 narrows it down, and hint 3 all but gives it away. On this date, all ten third hints name the answer's first letter.

Short answers have the fewest possible fills, so they make a good start. The four-letter slots are 1-Across, 8-Across, 4-Down and 5-Down; the five-letter slots are 5-Across, 6-Across, 7-Across, 1-Down, 2-Down and 3-Down.

Clues to try first

None of the ten clues is a fill-in-the-blank, a quotation, a question-mark clue or a marked short form. Read each one as a plain definition first. The shortest clue is 5-Across, “Paddle-powered boat”, at two words; the longest is 1-Across, “Sound after a big drink of soda”, at seven words.

More for September 14, 2026

Rather see the grid first? Play Mini #349. When you're done, the answer key reveals one answer at a time, and the printable copy is there for paper solvers. The day before, Mini #348 (September 13, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “Slightly open, as a door”; the day after, Mini #350 (September 15, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “Show off verbally”.

September 14, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the September 14, 2026 Mini Crossword?

Yes. Every clue on this page is from our own September 14, 2026 puzzle, with three hints each, from a gentle nudge to a strong push. The answers themselves are on the answer key page.

Is this the NYT Mini hints page?

No. This is an independent daily mini crossword. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by The New York Times.

What is the difference between hints and the answer key?

Hints move you toward the answer one step at a time so you can still solve it yourself. If you want to see a solution outright, the answer key at /answers/2026-09-14 reveals one answer at a time.