New Delhi, July 13 -- each one is missing exactly ONE letter from the end of its last word. The answer to 7-Across - "Number of letters missing from the ends of each starred Across clue" - is ONE, and that single omitted letter is the puzzle's entire engine.

If you want three hints before the full solution, read the section below. The complete answers follow immediately after.

Hints for the NYT Mini Crossword - July 13, 2026

Hint 1: The starred clues are deliberately incomplete. Add one letter to the final word of each starred clue to get the real clue - then solve from there.

Hint 2: 4-Across leads you to a structure on the water; 5-Across leads you to a US state; 6-Across leads you to something a knitter does.

Hint 3: 1-Down is a w...