This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Sunday, January 18, 2026 (54 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Sunday puzzles are large (21 by 21) and themed, about as hard as a Wednesday or Thursday.
Answer length: 6 squares
First letter
S _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
S _ _ _ _ S
Show the answer
About the answer
STALES as a word: No longer fresh, in reference to food, urine, straw, wounds, etc; No longer fresh, new, or interesting, in reference to ideas and immaterial things; clichéd, hackneyed, dated.
STALES has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
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