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Guardian Cryptic Crossword Answers — September 17, 2026

Hints and a step-by-step reveal for September 17, 2026. Nothing is shown until you ask for it.
September 17, 2026

Crossword clues and answers

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Across

14 clues
  1. 1Gentlemanly monster, one giving way to everyoneGALLANT
  2. 5Caress female individual endlessly led astrayFONDLE
  3. 9Old form of salute conveying cold kissOSCULATE
  4. 10Gaining inner peace, wife left scoundrelWEASEL
  5. 12Going before GP, I need care sorted out – pills finally swallowedPREDECEASING
  6. 15The female’s embracing prince, having wasted time with princess and old guard?HALBERDIER
  7. 17Fool that American sits onASS
  8. 19The fact of the matter sides denied? A familiar patternRUT
  9. 20Artist annoying Violet Elizabeth? One with eyes missing nothingBOTTICELLI
  10. 22Troubled medico cares about a fattening drink?ICECREAMSODA
  11. 26Dreadful French art showing fisherman singing?GRIMES
  12. 27Brawl with soldiers coming out in uncontrolled movementFREEFALL
  13. 28Type of building worker, shark with little hesitationRIGGER
  14. 29Religious rite – it is used during illnessLITURGY

Down

16 clues
  1. 1Composer full of love, repeatedly kind, ultimately gives encouraging wordsGOOD
  2. 2See 1LUCK
  3. 3Generally inadequate, ill? Avoid this harmful substanceALLERGEN
  4. 4Carried child on to bed – beginning to drift offTOTED
  5. 6Greek characters in ‘ouse maybe chatterOMEGAS
  6. 7Vile celebs paid offDESPICABLE
  7. 8Praising group of countries concerned with activity of shifting goods?EULOGISTIC
  8. 11Leader avoiding bike training called ‘old-fashioned’YCLEPT
  9. 13Husband in conflict, having got caress from someone at quaysideWHARFINGER
  10. 14Sugary treat organised during affairFLATTERING
  11. 16Party set up in delightful woodDEODAR
  12. 18Had to bring in detectives on street to make critical examinationACIDTEST
  13. 21Non-pay area not operating? Stop suddenlyFREEZE
  14. 23Deer in pain pursued by leader of loutsSOREL
  15. 24Rather keeping quiet about a principle cheat violatesFAIR
  16. 25See 24PLAY

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 1. Gentlemanly monster, one giving way to everyone

    Answer: GALLANT

  2. 5. Caress female individual endlessly led astray

    Answer: FONDLE

  3. 9. Old form of salute conveying cold kiss

    Answer: OSCULATE

  4. 10. Gaining inner peace, wife left scoundrel

    Answer: WEASEL

  5. 12. Going before GP, I need care sorted out – pills finally swallowed

    Answer: PREDECEASING

  6. 15. The female’s embracing prince, having wasted time with princess and old guard?

    Answer: HALBERDIER

  7. 17. Fool that American sits on

    Answer: ASS

  8. 19. The fact of the matter sides denied? A familiar pattern

    Answer: RUT

  9. 20. Artist annoying Violet Elizabeth? One with eyes missing nothing

    Answer: BOTTICELLI

  10. 22. Troubled medico cares about a fattening drink?

    Answer: ICECREAMSODA

  11. 26. Dreadful French art showing fisherman singing?

    Answer: GRIMES

  12. 27. Brawl with soldiers coming out in uncontrolled movement

    Answer: FREEFALL

  13. 28. Type of building worker, shark with little hesitation

    Answer: RIGGER

  14. 29. Religious rite – it is used during illness

    Answer: LITURGY

Down

  1. 1. Composer full of love, repeatedly kind, ultimately gives encouraging words

    Answer: GOOD

  2. 2. See 1

    Answer: LUCK

  3. 3. Generally inadequate, ill? Avoid this harmful substance

    Answer: ALLERGEN

  4. 4. Carried child on to bed – beginning to drift off

    Answer: TOTED

  5. 6. Greek characters in ‘ouse maybe chatter

    Answer: OMEGAS

  6. 7. Vile celebs paid off

    Answer: DESPICABLE

  7. 8. Praising group of countries concerned with activity of shifting goods?

    Answer: EULOGISTIC

  8. 11. Leader avoiding bike training called ‘old-fashioned’

    Answer: YCLEPT

  9. 13. Husband in conflict, having got caress from someone at quayside

    Answer: WHARFINGER

  10. 14. Sugary treat organised during affair

    Answer: FLATTERING

  11. 16. Party set up in delightful wood

    Answer: DEODAR

  12. 18. Had to bring in detectives on street to make critical examination

    Answer: ACIDTEST

  13. 21. Non-pay area not operating? Stop suddenly

    Answer: FREEZE

  14. 23. Deer in pain pursued by leader of louts

    Answer: SOREL

  15. 24. Rather keeping quiet about a principle cheat violates

    Answer: FAIR

  16. 25. See 24

    Answer: PLAY

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