Like crackers that have lost some crunch

STALE

["Think of how bread or chips might feel after being left out in the open for too long—this word describes that unfortunate texture."]

This clue describes crackers that aren’t fresh anymore—they’ve gone soft and lost their crispness. "Stale" is the perfect word for food that’s past its prime but not necessarily spoiled. The hint plays on the literal meaning of "stale" while keeping it simple, since everyone knows how disappointing limp crackers can be. No tricks here, just a straightforward definition.