Quick Answer
Clue: “Say without saying”
Answer: IMPLY
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 7-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Say without saying” is answered with IMPLY, filling all five squares of 7-Across.
Why IMPLY Is the Right NYT Answer
- To imply is literally to suggest or say something without stating it directly, which is exactly what “Say without saying” describes. Dictionary definitions frame IMPLY as “to express, suggest, or show something without saying it directly,” matching the clue almost word-for-word.
- NYT Mini answer roundups and crossword helper pages for the January 27, 2026 puzzle confirm IMPLY as the official 7-Across solution. Other candidates like “hint at” are the wrong length or format, leaving IMPLY as the only clean 5-letter match.
What IMPLY Means in Plain English
- To imply something is to communicate it indirectly through hints, tone, or context rather than saying it outright. For example, turning down invitations repeatedly may imply you are not interested, even if you never state that directly.
- The verb often pairs with synonyms like “suggest,” “hint,” or “indicate,” which are also common in crossword clue wording around this idea of indirect speech.
Crossword-Specific Help for IMPLY
- In the grid, IMPLY appears as I M P L Y, and with crossings you might first see patterns like I_PLY, IM_LY, or _MPLY, all of which strongly suggest IMPLY once you read the clue.
- As 7-Across in this Mini, it crosses short down entries such as SHINE, CUMIN, AMPLE, ROLE, and FRY, which help lock in each letter.
- IMPLY is a frequent 5-letter answer in many crosswords, used for clue lines like “Hint,” “Suggest indirectly,” “Say, without saying,” or “What a look can do.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When a clue mentions hinting, suggesting, or indirect speech, and you need 5 letters, IMPLY should be high on your list.
- Watch for phrasing like “Suggest without stating,” “Say, indirectly,” or “What a tone may do,” all of which often resolve to IMPLY.
Use crossings: once you see I_MPY, IM_LY, or _MPLY in a 5-letter slot, IMPLY is almost always the intended answer.
