Quick Answer
Clue: “Whispered sound from a test cheater”
Answer: PSST
Answer length: 4 letters
Clue number & direction: 9-Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Whispered sound from a test cheater” is answered with PSST.
Why “PSST” Is the Right NYT Answer
- The clue imagines someone secretly trying to get another student’s attention during a test; “psst” is the exact onomatopoeic whisper used for that.
- The Mini’s official answer list for January 22, 2026 confirms PSST as the 4-letter solution at 9-Across.
What “PSST” Means in Plain English
- PSST is a whispered sound people make to quietly get someone’s attention, often used when they do not want others (like a teacher) to notice.
- It has no grammatical meaning on its own; it simply represents a hushed, sibilant noise in written form.
Crossword-Specific Help and Patterns
- In the grid, PSST appears as P S S T, so you might see it as _SST or PS__ before you finish the crossings.
- PSST is a very common bit of crosswordese, frequently clued with “whispered,” “stage whisper,” or “attention-getting sound.”
- For 9-Across in this Mini, downs like CHAMP, HERES, ORCAS, WRIST, CGI, and YAY supply the cross letters, making the terminal pattern P-S-S-T unavoidable once filled.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When you see “whispered sound,” “hushed sound,” or “stage whisper,” immediately consider PSST, PSS, or PST; the 4-letter slot almost always prefers PSST.
Pay attention to stacked consonants: a pattern like _ S S T with a test or secretive context is a strong signal for PSST.
