The NYT Midi Crossword October 20, 2026 puzzle by Aidan Deshong is solved below. The answers were grouped based on their orientation on the grid.
Across
- 1 Aftermath of a scrape SCAB
- 5 Body part targeted by bench presses CHEST
- 10 Punxsutawney ___ PHIL
- 11 Party with a piñata, perhaps FIESTA
- 12 Worker associated with a red truck FIREFIGHTER
- 14 Word before a maiden name, from the French NEE
- 15 Discord or Dropbox APP
- 16 “Nonsense!” BALDERDASH
- 21 Up to the task ABLE
- 22 Puppy’s bark YIP
- 23 With 25-Across, shelters from the sun … or what some squares in 12- and 16-Across do? SHADE
- 25 See 23-Across TREES
- 29 Marge Simpson’s pet name for her husband HOMIE
- 30 Polynesian island nation TONGA
- 31 Sort in order of preference RANK
- 32 In first place ONTOP
Down
- 1 Initials on a beach bottle SPF
- 2 Tai ___ (martial art) CHI
- 3 Breathe it in! AIR
- 4 Didn’t stand out from the crowd BLENDEDIN
- 5 What becomes a butt after it’s bummed, informally CIG
- 6 “That’s kinda funny” HEH
- 7 “Cómo ___?” ESTAS
- 8 N.B.A. star Curry STEPH
- 9 Waterproof cover TARP
- 11 Impassioned FIERY
- 13 Extra charge FEE
- 16 Thwack, as a piñata BASH
- 17 Absolutely despise ABHOR
- 18 Llong-necked animall lliving near Llima? LLAMA
- 19 “Same here” DITTO
- 20 Garment for a chef APRON
- 24 Interjection that aptly rhymes with “shriek” EEK
- 26 Doc who might treat a sinus infection ENT
- 27 Sense of self EGO
- 28 Sticky liquid SAP
MINI Clues are grouped in the order they appeared in the puzzle and If the answers above do not solve a specific clue just open the clue link and it will show you all the possible solutions that we have for that clue.