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Daily Newsday Crossword

“__ circle (closest friends)”

The verified answer to the Newsday Crossword clue “__ circle (closest friends)”, with letter-by-letter analysis and the full puzzle context for the Monday, September 21, 2026 puzzle.

Published · Across · 5 letters

Hints first

Letters 5
First letter I
Last letter R
I ? ? ? R

A 5-letter across entry from the Monday puzzle

The Answer

I N N E R

The answer to “__ circle (closest friends)” is INNER

Letters 5
Direction Across
Published Sep 21, 2026

Letter analysis: the 5-letter answer

Vowels, consonants, and crossword construction notes
Unique 4 of 5 positions
Vowels 2 40% of word
Consonants 3 non-vowels
First letter I starts with

The clue “__ circle (closest friends)” appeared in the Newsday Crossword on Monday, September 21, 2026 as a across entry. The verified answer is INNER — a 5-letter word that begins with I and ends with R.

This answer contains 2 vowels and 3 consonants. The Newsday Crossword is published daily by Newsday on Long Island and edited by Stan Newman, whose Saturday Stumper is widely considered one of the toughest mainstream crosswords in print.

Other clues with the answer INNER

INNER has been used as the answer for these Newsday Crossword clues
“Deeply felt” May 8, 2026 “Deep-seated” Oct 23, 2025 “__ circle (most trusted friends)” Sep 16, 2025 “Deeply felt” Jun 1, 2025 “Deep-seated” May 18, 2025

More clues from the September 21, 2026 puzzle

Monday Newsday Crossword
View full puzzle
Checkers or Monopoly 4 ℓ · D Tool for twisting off tight lids 9 ℓ · D Shades of color 5 ℓ · D Frequently, informally 4 ℓ · D Small earring 4 ℓ · D Inn for skiers 5 ℓ · D __ in time (right before the deadline) 4 ℓ · A Bath powder ingredient 4 ℓ · A Strong desire 4 ℓ · D Droop 3 ℓ · A Lobster's cousins 5 ℓ · D "My country, 'tis of __" 4 ℓ · D Wise maxim 5 ℓ · D Hard-to-read handwriting 6 ℓ · D Applaud 4 ℓ · A Job for a performer 4 ℓ · D Our planet 5 ℓ · A Art studio stand 5 ℓ · D Strong smell 4 ℓ · A Nothing, in Spanish 4 ℓ · A

Frequently asked questions about “__ circle (closest friends)”

What is the answer to “__ circle (closest friends)” in the Newsday Crossword?

The verified answer is INNER — a 5-letter word that appeared as a across entry on Monday, September 21, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “__ circle (closest friends)”?

The answer INNER contains 5 letters.

Was “__ circle (closest friends)” an across or down clue?

This clue ran as a Across entry.

Is this site affiliated with Newsday?

No. This is an independent fan reference site — we are not affiliated with Newsday. The Newsday Crossword is a trademark of its respective owner. We solve and verify each Newsday Crossword puzzle manually before publishing the answer key.

__ circle (closest friends) — Newsday Crossword Clue Answer | Newsday Crossword Answers