‘Visibly muscular’ NYT Mini Crossword clue answer and hints

What's considered visibly muscular?

Two muscular dogs above the visibly muscular clue from the NYT mini crossword puzzle
Image by Dot Esports

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword clue, “Visibly muscular,” could have multiple answers, which is why it’s so tough to solve and likely why you’re here for the answer. You’ll find the answer to this Sept. 26 crossword clue below.

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‘Visibly muscular’ NYT Sept. 26 Mini Crossword clue hints and answer

The clue, visibly muscular, highlighted in blue and yellow on the NYT mini crossword puzzle
Visibly muscular is the clue for eight across. Screenshot by Dot Esports
  • Hint 1: It ends with a “D.”
  • Hint 2: An anagram of the answer is “noted.”
  • Hint 3: It’s often used to describe someone visibly fit and healthy.
  • Hint 4: It starts with a “T.”

The answer to the Visibly muscularclue from the Sept. 26 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle is “TONED.” When someone appears visibly muscular, even if it’s just a little, they are considered toned because they have a firm and strong body.

NYT Mini Crossword puzzle: All Sept. 26 clues and answers

Across

  • 1A Lights on nightstands — LAMPS
  • 6A Historic performance at Milan’s La Scala or Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre — OPERA
  • 7A It’s just chugging along — TRAIN
  • 8A Visibly muscular — TONED
  • 9A Squirmy and fidgetyANTSY

Down

  • 1D “That takes a ____nerve!” — LOTTA
  • 2D What might protect your shirt from a grease stain — APRON
  • 3D Intended — MEANT
  • 4D Asks nosy questionsPRIES
  • 5D Needing a shower after a beach day — SANDY

‘Visibly muscular’ clue difficulty, rated

When I read this clue, toned wasn’t the word I immediately thought of. Instead, I thought of buff people who go to the gym frequently or are incredibly fit. And, in a roundabout way, I was right. But I just couldn’t think of a word that would fit until I’d solved a few of the surrounding clues and stumbled upon the answer. So, while it’s not an uncommon word or an impossible clue to solve, it was still a challenge, so I’m giving it a difficulty rating of four out of five.

Mini-games to play after today’s NYT crossword puzzle

If you’re looking for more mini-games, particularly crosswords or word-based challenges, try the mini crosswords from the LA Times and the Washington Post or these puzzling word games from the NYT: Strands or Spelling Bee.

Author
Image of Hayley Andrews
Hayley Andrews
Hayley Andrews is a staff writer for Dot Esports with a dual degree in business and human resource management. After discovering her passion for creative writing and gaming, she now writes about MOBAs, MMOs, and cozy games.