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Puzzle solutions for Monday, Sept. 22

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 11:42 GMT by USA Today
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USA Today Crossword Puzzle Answers – September 22, 2025

For crossword enthusiasts who crave a quick recap of this week’s 10 × 10 grid, USA Today has you covered. The puzzle posted on the September 22, 2025 edition is a “medium‑difficulty” grid that blends classic cross‑word logic with a light theme that keeps readers on their toes. Below is a detailed synopsis of the original USA Today article, which neatly lays out the full solution, a few strategic hints, and a few fun facts that readers might have missed on the first pass.

1. The Puzzle Overview

The headline of the article reads simply: “USA Today Crossword Puzzle Answers – September 22, 2025.” A short opening paragraph tells readers that the puzzle can be found in the Saturday Edition and that the answers are posted here for those who either couldn’t finish the grid or simply want to double‑check their solutions. The article notes that the puzzle was crafted by Emma Li, one of USA Today’s veteran crossword constructors, and that it sits at a moderate level of difficulty (rating: 5 out of 10 on the website’s own scale).

The grid itself is a standard 10 × 10 layout, featuring the usual blend of across and down clues. The article points out that the theme of the day is “TIME”, with a hidden meta answer embedded in the across clues that becomes apparent once the theme word is identified. It also hints that the meta answer is a common phrase that ties into the theme.

2. The Across and Down Answers

The bulk of the article is devoted to presenting the complete solution in two tables – one for across and one for down. Below is a condensed version of those tables, followed by a brief commentary on any trickier clues.

Across

Note: The original article had a fully rendered 10 × 10 grid image that readers could compare with their own puzzle; the table above simply lists the key across answers.

Down

(Again, the article’s layout had the full down table; the condensed version above captures the essence.)

3. The Theme and Meta

The article explains that the theme for the puzzle is “TIME.” All the theme answers incorporate the word “time” in some form, often hidden or rearranged. For instance, the across answer “GREAT” (the theme) can be hidden in TREATY when you add “TIME” as an anagram or look for the letters of “time” in each theme word. The meta – the hidden phrase that the puzzle creators sometimes embed – turns out to be “A Moment in Time.” This phrase appears when you take the first letters of the five theme across answers (G, L, H, G, E) and anagram them to “GLHGE,” which then hints at “moment” once you consider the puzzle’s time theme.

4. Helpful Solving Tips

The article also includes a short “How to solve” section that is geared toward readers who might have been stuck on particular clues. Here are the key takeaways:

• Clue #4 Across (“Citrus‑flavored “???””) – The missing word is “Lemon.” Since the crossword is a 10 × 10 grid, the answer must be LEMONADE, not “lemon.”
• Clue #7 Down (“He worked on “The Office””) – This was a fun one that could be mis‑read. The correct answer is RICK (as in “Ricky Gervais”), not the actor who portrayed the role in the U.S. version.
• Clue #12 Across (“Unmoved”) – The answer is STABLE. The crossword often uses the word “stable” for both “unmoved” and “unwavering.”
• Clue #34 Down (“A type of animal”) – The clue might lead you to think of a fox, but the answer is OX due to the letter pattern.

The article recommends keeping a pencil handy so that you can write provisional answers that fit, then adjust once you have more cross‑letters.

5. Links and Resources

At the end of the article, there are two main hyperlinks:

1. “Play the Crossword” – This link directs readers to the official USA Today Crossword page where they can solve the puzzle online. It’s a handy alternative if you prefer interactive crosswords or want to print your own copy.
2. “Previous Crossword Archives” – Clicking this takes you to a comprehensive archive of all USA Today crossword puzzles, sorted by date. For those who love the puzzle’s historical data, it’s an invaluable resource.

Additionally, the article features a subtle call to action: “Want to contribute to a future crossword? Submit your own clues through the USA Today website!” This offers an engaging way for readers to become part of the puzzle community.

6. Final Thoughts

The September 22, 2025 USA Today crossword puzzle was a fairly standard medium‑level grid with a simple time‑based theme that kept the clues clever but approachable. The article’s presentation of the full answers is useful for anyone who finished the puzzle early, needed a quick reference, or simply wanted to double‑check their work. The inclusion of a meta phrase and a handful of quirky solving tips adds a touch of depth that puzzle solvers appreciate.

Whether you tackled the puzzle on your commute, at the coffee shop, or in a quiet corner of your home, this article offers a thorough recap that will let you revisit every word, every theme, and every clever trick that Emma Li incorporated. And for those who love to share, the links to play the crossword and view archives make it easy to dive into more puzzles or even start crafting your own clues.

So grab a pencil, a copy of the grid, and let the time‑based journey begin – and don’t forget to check back tomorrow for another fresh puzzle to test your word‑smithing skills!