Search Clues
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query BORER. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query BORER. Sort by date Show all posts

Saturday, November 30, 2024

27415 Sat Nov 30, 2024 NYT by Oliver Goodridge and Juan Garavito

Across Clues :

1. Handle of a knife, 5. "And …?", 11. "Say …", 14. Haughty self-important question, 16. Boast in a 1987 Michael Jackson hit, 17. Airport transports, perhaps, 18. Export from Jamaica, 19. "Nature always ___ the colors of the spirit": Ralph Waldo Emerson, 20. Petite ___, 21. Number of fingers on dos manos, 22. Recipe fig., 23. Be all in a tizzy, 24. Complicated, 25. Ready to rinse, say, 28. Shared, 29. Cooks up, so to speak, 30. Horse race measures, 32. Went wrong, 33. Painting technique in which the artist applies new paint atop a just-painted layer, 34. Etc., etc., 35. Longtime candy company based in San Francisco, 36. Color akin to amarillo, 37. Cart for the Budweiser Clydesdales, e.g., 38. Speck, 39. Termite, e.g., 41. Fired (up), in old slang, 42. Japanese game using pentagonal pieces, 43. Jack ___, Best Supporting Actor nominee for 1940's "The Great Dictator", 44. Fateful encounter, 47. Where cold cases are frequently opened, 48. Nearly every third baseman and shortstop in M.L.B. history, 49. Sign of hunger

Down Clues :

1. At-home distraction?, 2. Like the crowd after a buzzer beater, say, 3. Quarrels, 4. Sound accompanying a shake of the head, 5. Attacked, as a castle, 6. "Hang on a second …", 7. Request to be impressed, 8. Expressions of befuddlement, 9. Since, 10. Breakup line, 11. End result of a starter, 12. The so-called "heart of the scorpion" in the night sky, 13. Assumes control, 14. Holiday honoring Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of fortune, 15. Hard to navigate, 21. Stoop (to), 23. Mr. Rogers, to his neighbors, 24. Prefix from the Greek for "alone", 26. Styles of singing, 27. Hot times in la cité, 28. Leaves in a hurry, informally, 30. It flows where the wind blows, 31. One of 11 for Big Ben, 33. Like an important decision, 34. Reason one might get extended time on the PSAT, 35. Tried to hit, 38. "___ is it?", 39. Nova preceder, 40. Like some horse feed, 42. Gulp, 45. "___ and the Thirteenth Confession" (Laura Nyro album), 46. Subject of a ganzfeld experiment, in brief

Break down the NYT Crosswords: November 30, 2024

Let's go into the puzzle, starting with the across clues and answers, followed by the down clues and answers.

New York Times, Saturday, November 30, 2024
New York Times, Saturday, November 30, 2024


Across Clues with Answers:

  • The clue is 1. Handle of a knife. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: HAFT

    Possible Answer : haft, helve


  • The clue is 5. "And …?". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: SOWHAT


  • The clue is 11. "Say …". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (13 letters)

    The answer: HERESATHOUGHT


  • The clue is 14. Haughty self-important question. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

    The answer: DOYOUKNOWWHOIAM


  • The clue is 16. Boast in a 1987 Michael Jackson hit. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: IMBAD


  • The clue is 17. Airport transports, perhaps. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: TRAMS

    Possible Answer : tramway, ropeway, trolley, tram, streetcar, trolley_car, cable_tramway, tramcar, aerial_tramway


  • The clue is 18. Export from Jamaica. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: SKA


  • The clue is 19. "Nature always ___ the colors of the spirit": Ralph Waldo Emerson. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: WEARS

    Possible Answer : wearable, fag, put_on, wear_upon, vesture, break, wear_down, tire_out, wearing, article_of_clothing, wear_thin, bear, outwear, bust, wear_off, tire, weary, don, wear, wear_out, fatigue, habiliment, fall_apart, clothing, hold_out, assume, fag_out, jade, have_on, endure, get_into

    Possible Opposite Answer : refresh


  • The clue is 20. Petite ___. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: AMIE


  • The clue is 21. Number of fingers on dos manos. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: DIEZ


  • The clue is 22. Recipe fig.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: AMT


  • The clue is 23. Be all in a tizzy. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: FRET

    Possible Answer : chafe, scratch, fret, erode, key_pattern, gall, fray, Greek_fret, swither, worn_spot, niggle, eat_away, rub, stew, grate, rankle, gag, lather, choke, eat_into, Greek_key, sweat, fuss


  • The clue is 24. Complicated. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: MESSY

    Possible Answer : mussy, messy


  • The clue is 25. Ready to rinse, say. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: LATHERED

    Possible Answer : welt, slash, soap, lather, lash, trounce, strap, flog, whip


  • The clue is 28. Shared. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: JOINT

    Possible Answer : stick, junction, articulate, join, spliff, articulation, marijuana_cigarette, joint, articulatio, roast, juncture, reefer

    Possible Opposite Answer : separate


  • The clue is 29. Cooks up, so to speak. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: IDEATES

    Possible Answer : ideate, envisage, imagine, conceive_of


  • The clue is 30. Horse race measures. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: LENGTHS

    Possible Answer : distance, duration, length


  • The clue is 32. Went wrong. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: ERRED

    Possible Answer : slip, mistake, stray, err, drift


  • The clue is 33. Painting technique in which the artist applies new paint atop a just-painted layer. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (8 letters)

    The answer: WETONWET


  • The clue is 34. Etc., etc.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: ABBRS


  • The clue is 35. Longtime candy company based in San Francisco. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: SEES

    Possible Answer : understand, ascertain, assure, visualise, go_out, reckon, attend, insure, examine, interpret, consider, look, view, picture, ensure, get_a_line, determine, hear, discover, check, see_to_it, learn, witness, find_out, catch, escort, visualize, encounter, go_steady, run_into, find, project, construe, get_word, get_wind, date, watch, go_through, fancy, come_across, meet, run_across, image, envision, visit, control, realize, take_care, experience, realise, pick_up, take_in, see, figure, regard


  • The clue is 36. Color akin to amarillo. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ORO


  • The clue is 37. Cart for the Budweiser Clydesdales, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: DRAY

    Possible Answer : dray, camion


  • The clue is 38. Speck. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: WHIT

    Possible Answer : scintilla, tittle, whit, shred, iota, smidge, smidgeon, smidgin, smidgen


  • The clue is 39. Termite, e.g.. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: BORER

    Possible Answer : bore_bit, borer, rock_drill, stone_drill, woodborer


  • The clue is 41. Fired (up), in old slang. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: HET

    Possible Answer : heated, heated_up, het_up, het


  • The clue is 42. Japanese game using pentagonal pieces. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: SHOGI

    Possible Answer : shogi


  • The clue is 43. Jack ___, Best Supporting Actor nominee for 1940's "The Great Dictator". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: OAKIE


  • The clue is 44. Fateful encounter. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

    The answer: DATEWITHDESTINY


  • The clue is 47. Where cold cases are frequently opened. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (13 letters)

    The answer: DELICATESSENS

    Possible Answer : deli, delicatessen, food_shop, delicatessen_food


  • The clue is 48. Nearly every third baseman and shortstop in M.L.B. history. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: RIGHTY


  • The clue is 49. Sign of hunger. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: PANG

    Possible Answer : stab, sting, twinge, pang


Down Clues and Answers:

  • The clue is 1. At-home distraction?. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

    The answer: HEYBATTERBATTER

  • The clue is 2. Like the crowd after a buzzer beater, say. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: AROAR

  • The clue is 3. Quarrels. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: FEUDS

    Possible Answer: feud

  • The clue is 4. Sound accompanying a shake of the head. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: TSK

    Possible Answer: tsk, tut, tut-tut

  • The clue is 5. Attacked, as a castle. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: STORMED

    Possible Answer: force, surprise, rage, storm, ramp

  • The clue is 6. "Hang on a second …". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: OHWAIT

  • The clue is 7. Request to be impressed. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: WOWME

  • The clue is 8. Expressions of befuddlement. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: HUHS

  • The clue is 9. Since. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: AGO

    Possible Answer: ago, agone

  • The clue is 10. Breakup line. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (15 letters)

    The answer: THISISNTWORKING

  • The clue is 11. End result of a starter. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (13 letters)

    The answer: HOMEMADEBREAD

  • The clue is 12. The so-called "heart of the scorpion" in the night sky. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: ANTARES

    Possible Answer: Antares

  • The clue is 13. Assumes control. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (13 letters)

    The answer: TAKESTHEREINS

  • The clue is 14. Holiday honoring Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of fortune. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: DIWALI

  • The clue is 15. Hard to navigate. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: MAZY

    Possible Answer: mazy, labyrinthine, labyrinthian

  • The clue is 21. Stoop (to). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: DEIGN

    Possible Answer: deign, descend, condescend

  • The clue is 23. Mr. Rogers, to his neighbors. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: FRED

  • The clue is 24. Prefix from the Greek for "alone". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: MONO

    Possible Answer: kissing_disease, mono, monophonic, infectious_mononucleosis, glandular_fever, mononucleosis, single-channel

  • The clue is 26. Styles of singing. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: HARRY

    Possible Answer: chivvy, plague, ravage, harass, beset, harry, chevy, molest, provoke, chivy, chevvy, hassle

  • The clue is 27. Hot times in la cité. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ETES

  • The clue is 28. Leaves in a hurry, informally. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: JETS

    Possible Answer: blue_jet, honey_oil, cat_valium, spurt, super_acid, reverse_lightning, special_K, squirt, green, gush, fountain, jet_plane, jet, jet-propelled_plane, spirt, super_C, K

  • The clue is 30. It flows where the wind blows. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: LEETIDE

  • The clue is 31. One of 11 for Big Ben. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: STOREY

    Possible Answer: storey, story, level, floor

  • The clue is 33. Like an important decision. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (7 letters)

    The answer: WEIGHTY

    Possible Answer: telling, grievous, heavy, grave, cogent, corpulent, weighty, rotund, obese

    Possible Opposite Answer : weightless

  • The clue is 34. Reason one might get extended time on the PSAT. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: ADHD

    Possible Answer: minimal_brain_damage, ADD, minimal_brain_dysfunction, MBD, attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder, ADHD, attention_deficit_disorder, hyperkinetic_syndrome

  • The clue is 35. Tried to hit. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (6 letters)

    The answer: SHOTAT

  • The clue is 38. "___ is it?". Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: WHICH

  • The clue is 39. Nova preceder. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: BOSSA

  • The clue is 40. Like some horse feed. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (5 letters)

    The answer: OATEN

    Possible Answer: oaten

  • The clue is 42. Gulp. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (4 letters)

    The answer: SWIG

    Possible Answer: swig, draught, gulp, draft, slug, slog, quaff

  • The clue is 45. "___ and the Thirteenth Confession" (Laura Nyro album). Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ELI

  • The clue is 46. Subject of a ganzfeld experiment, in brief. Can you find the Answer?

    Here is a hint. It is a word with exactly (3 letters)

    The answer: ESP

    Possible Answer: ESP, second_sight, extrasensory_perception, clairvoyance, E.S.P.

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Friday, January 2, 2026

NYT Mini January 02, 2026: Fast Answers, Strategic Hints & Speed-Solving Guide

Mini Crossword NYT January 02, 2026 - Today's Puzzle Solved in Under 3 Minutes

Quick Summary: Today's NYT Mini Crossword has 20 clues total. We have all the answers plus helpful hints to make solving easier!

Popular Puzzles: Todays NYT Crossword Down Clues | May 27 2021 NYT Clues Solutions | December 31 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for January 02, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Friday, January 02, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date January 02, 2026
Grid Size 5 x 5 squares
Total Clues 20 clues
Across Clues 10 clues
Down Clues 10 clues
Average Solve Time Under 1 minute

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

This puzzle uses a 5 by 5 grid. That means 5 boxes across and 5 boxes down.

5x5 Crossword Grid Pattern
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Row 1     
Row 2     
Row 3     
Row 4     
Row 5     

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

  1. Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
  2. Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
  3. Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
  4. If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
  5. Common short words: THE, AND, ARE, FOR, NOT

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

  • Total squares in grid: 25 (5 times 5)
  • Average time to solve: Less than 1 minute
  • Best time to play: During a coffee break
  • Difficulty level: Made for everyone to enjoy

Across Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from left to right in the puzzle.

Across Clues List
Number Clue
1 Across 39. Meaty meal
2 Across 37. Emotional manipulation tactic
3 Across 21. Skims, as soup stock
4 Across 27. Windfalls
5 Across 51. Exchanges blows?
6 Across 24. Tunnel-making machine
7 Across 30. One might lead to pay back
8 Across 28. Keep coming up
9 Across 40. Attraction on the western side of Carson Range
10 Across 53. Up to

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. Also check out these helpful guides:

1 Across: "39. Meaty meal"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'T'
  • Word pattern: F___T

Answer:

Click to reveal FEAST

2 Across: "37. Emotional manipulation tactic"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 9 letters
  • It starts with 'G' and ends with 'P'
  • Word pattern: G_______P

Answer:

Click to reveal GUILTTRIP

3 Across: "21. Skims, as soup stock"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: D____S

Answer:

Click to reveal DEFATS

4 Across: "27. Windfalls"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: B___S

Answer:

Click to reveal BOONS

5 Across: "51. Exchanges blows?"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 9 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A_______S

Answer:

Click to reveal AIRKISSES

6 Across: "24. Tunnel-making machine"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: B___R

Answer:

Click to reveal BORER

7 Across: "30. One might lead to pay back"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 9 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: T_______N

Answer:

Click to reveal TAXRETURN

8 Across: "28. Keep coming up"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'R' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: R___R

Answer:

Click to reveal RECUR

9 Across: "40. Attraction on the western side of Carson Range"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: T___E

Answer:

Click to reveal TAHOE

10 Across: "53. Up to"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'U' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: U___L

Answer:

Click to reveal UNTIL

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 4. Duration
2 Down 46. Stem component
3 Down 47. Capitulate
4 Down 7. Cylindrical oven
5 Down 8. Extremely well-liked?
6 Down 30. Capotes are flapped at them
7 Down 1. President who wrote "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it"
8 Down 33. Server's obstacle
9 Down 48. Lender's security
10 Down 10. Hooting and hollering

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

Need help? Here are hints and answers for each clue above. You might also like:

1 Down: "4. Duration"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'W' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: W___E

Answer:

Click to reveal WHILE

2 Down: "46. Stem component"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'X' and ends with 'M'
  • Word pattern: X___M

Answer:

Click to reveal XYLEM

3 Down: "47. Capitulate"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C__E

Answer:

Click to reveal CAVE

4 Down: "7. Cylindrical oven"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: T_____R

Answer:

Click to reveal TANDOOR

5 Down: "8. Extremely well-liked?"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 14 letters
  • It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: I____________S

Answer:

Click to reveal INTERNETFAMOUS

6 Down: "30. Capotes are flapped at them"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: T___S

Answer:

Click to reveal TOROS

7 Down: "1. President who wrote "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___S

Answer:

Click to reveal ADAMS

8 Down: "33. Server's obstacle"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'N' and ends with 'T'
  • Another word like this: clear

Answer:

Click to reveal NET

9 Down: "48. Lender's security"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'N'
  • Word pattern: L__N

Answer:

Click to reveal LIEN

10 Down: "10. Hooting and hollering"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A___R

Answer:

Click to reveal AROAR

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
  2. Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
  3. Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
  4. Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
  5. Common Words: Remember these appear often: ERA, ORE, ATE, ICE.

Letter Tips That Really Help

  • The letter E is the most common in English
  • Words ending in S are often plurals
  • If you see "___" in a clue, the answer fits those blanks exactly
  • Abbreviations in clues mean the answer is also abbreviated

Time Goals to Aim For

Your Time Skill Level What It Means
Under 30 seconds Expert You know the puzzle patterns very well!
30-60 seconds Advanced Great job! You solve quickly.
1-2 minutes Good You're doing well. Keep practicing!
Over 2 minutes Learning You'll get faster with practice.

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

Today's Puzzle by the Numbers
Total Clues: 20 clues to solve
Grid Size: 5 boxes across, 5 boxes down
Total Squares: 25 squares to fill
Average Time: Most people solve in 45 seconds
Difficulty: A bit tricky

More Puzzle Help

If you like the NYT Mini, you might enjoy these other puzzles too:

Recent Crossword Solutions:

Common Questions About NYT Mini Crossword

When can I play the NYT Mini?

The puzzle comes out at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before. So you can play Monday's puzzle starting Sunday at 10 PM.

How fast should I be able to solve it?

Most people solve the Mini in 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Don't worry if you take longer - speed comes with practice!

Do I need to pay to play?

No! The NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Mini solver?

Good Mini solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder on certain days?

Unlike the big NYT crossword, the Mini stays about the same difficulty every day. Sometimes Saturday might be a tiny bit harder.

About This Page: We provide hints and answers for the NYT Mini Crossword to help you learn and improve. This site is not connected to The New York Times.

Last Updated: January 02, 2026 at 04:26 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, January 02 2026 mini crossword

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XWordHint Crossword Answers January 02, 2026 | Expert Breakdown & Tips

Master today's NYT crossword with our expert hint system. We provide synonyms, antonyms, and strategic clues to help you solve without spoiling the fun. Perfect for crossword lovers who want that satisfying "aha!" moment.

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

January 02, 2026 NYT Crossword Solutions

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Challenging

Pro Tip: Start with the fill-in-the-blank clues - they're usually the easiest entry points!

Across Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1A 1. Havanese greeting 3
2A 4. Tolstoy book whose title asks a question 9
3A 13. Reluctantly stoop 5
4A 16. They rate up to 350,000 on the Scoville scale 9
5A 17. H.S. class for tough life lessons? 5
6A 18. "Just tell me when it's over" 9
7A 19. Dance move also known as a backslide 8
8A 21. Skims, as soup stock 6
9A 22. Fig. that cannot start with 9 3
10A 23. Org. for The Rock and Brock Lesnar 3
11A 24. Tunnel-making machine 5
12A 25. Not many 4
13A 27. Windfalls 5
14A 28. Keep coming up 5
15A 30. One might lead to pay back 9
16A 34. Make some introductions, say 5
17A 35. The Cowboys of the N.C.A.A. 3
18A 36. Word from the Lakota for "they dwell" 5
19A 37. Emotional manipulation tactic 9
20A 39. Meaty meal 5
21A 40. Attraction on the western side of Carson Range 5
22A 41. "Oof!" 4
23A 42. Seems less impressive, so to speak 5
24A 43. Spray in the kitchen 3
25A 44. German stock market index 3
26A 47. Cumbrous 6
27A 49. One-to-one relationship 8
28A 51. Exchanges blows? 9
29A 53. Up to 5
30A 54. Eggless bread spread 9
31A 55. "A-a-a-and ___!" (improv show ender) 5
32A 56. High-carb snack 9
33A 57. May day celebrant 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Havanese greeting"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. Tolstoy book whose title asks a question"

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHATISART

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "13. Reluctantly stoop"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
  • Similar words include: descend, condescend
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEIGN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "16. They rate up to 350,000 on the Scoville scale"

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HABANEROS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "17. H.S. class for tough life lessons?"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: APBIO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "18. "Just tell me when it's over""

9 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ICANTLOOK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "19. Dance move also known as a backslide"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a kind of dance step in which the dancer seems to be sliding on the spot
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOONWALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "21. Skims, as soup stock"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that remove the fat from
  • Similar words include: defat
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEFATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "22. Fig. that cannot start with 9"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SSN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "23. Org. for The Rock and Brock Lesnar"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WWE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "24. Tunnel-making machine"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a drill for penetrating rock
  • Similar words include: woodborer, rock drill, stone drill
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BORER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "25. Not many"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AFEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. Windfalls"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a desirable state
  • Similar words include: blessing, boon
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOONS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "28. Keep coming up"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that happen or occur again
  • Similar words include: repeat, fall back, resort
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RECUR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. One might lead to pay back"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAXRETURN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "34. Make some introductions, say"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers)
  • Similar words include: compere, master of ceremonies, host
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMCEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "35. The Cowboys of the N.C.A.A."

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "36. Word from the Lakota for "they dwell""

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native american tent; usually of conical shape
  • Similar words include: teepee, tipi
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEPEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "37. Emotional manipulation tactic"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GUILTTRIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "39. Meaty meal"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a ceremonial dinner party for many people
  • Similar words include: junket, fete, spread
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FEAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "40. Attraction on the western side of Carson Range"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TAHOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "41. "Oof!""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something of little value
  • Similar words include: darn, bedamn, darned
  • Opposite of: bless
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAMN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "42. Seems less impressive, so to speak"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a wooden strip forming part of a fence
  • Similar words include: pale, picket, pal
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PALES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "43. Spray in the kitchen"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PAM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "44. German stock market index"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "47. Cumbrous"

6 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that lacking grace in movement or posture
  • Similar words include: clumsy, ungainly, gawky
  • Pattern: ______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CLUNKY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "49. One-to-one relationship"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that having only one spouse at a time
  • Similar words include: monogamousness
  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MONOGAMY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "51. Exchanges blows?"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AIRKISSES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "53. Up to"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UNTIL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "54. Eggless bread spread"

9 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: VEGENAISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "55. "A-a-a-and ___!" (improv show ender)"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the place where some action occurs
  • Similar words include: shot, tantrum, prospect
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SCENE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "56. High-carb snack"

9 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ENERGYBAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "57. May day celebrant"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal terms for a mother
  • Similar words include: mammy, momma, mummy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. President who wrote "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it" 5
2D 2. Default outcomes, perhaps 5
3D 3. Kind of sequence that that proceeds 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ... 9
4D 4. Duration 5
5D 5. Modern security threat 4
6D 6. Org. with the Rule of Law Initiative 3
7D 7. Cylindrical oven 7
8D 8. Extremely well-liked? 14
9D 9. Personal opinion? 10
10D 10. Hooting and hollering 5
11D 11. Part of an underground network 4
12D 12. Pithy put-downs 4
13D 14. Main ingredient in an aviation cocktail 3
14D 15. "I like the sound of that!" 14
15D 20. "So adorable!" 3
16D 24. Prepare to ship, say 5
17D 26. Delivery means to a gas station 10
18D 27. Count in the Blues Hall of Fame 5
19D 28. On the ___ (frequently, informally) 3
20D 29. Bird whose eggs are sometimes a canvas for Aboriginal art 3
21D 30. Capotes are flapped at them 5
22D 31. "Let's go, sleepyhead!" 9
23D 32. Booking, for short 3
24D 33. Server's obstacle 3
25D 38. "Word on the street is ..." 7
26D 41. ___ Brown, author of "The Da Vinci Code" 3
27D 42. Night of lawlessness in a long-running horror franchise, with "the" 5
28D 43. Try-hard 5
29D 45. Kind of acid 5
30D 46. Stem component 5
31D 47. Capitulate 4
32D 48. Lender's security 4
33D 49. Table outside 4
34D 50. Big purveyor of health supplements 3
35D 52. Gender-neutral term in a family 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. President who wrote "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that american revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the boston tea party and signer of the declaration of independence (1722-1803)
  • Similar words include: John Adams, Mount Adams, disco biscuit
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADAMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. Default outcomes, perhaps"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPOS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Kind of sequence that that proceeds 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ..."

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIBONACCI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Duration"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
  • Similar words include: patch, piece, spell
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WHILE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Modern security threat"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one who works hard at boring tasks
  • Similar words include: chop, taxi, political hack
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: HACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Org. with the Rule of Law Initiative"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth; worn by arabs
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ABA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Cylindrical oven"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a clay oven used in northern india and pakistan
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TANDOOR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Extremely well-liked?"

14 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: INTERNETFAMOUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Personal opinion?"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SELFESTEEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Hooting and hollering"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AROAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Part of an underground network"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
  • Similar words include: tooth root, ancestor, source
  • Opposite of: descendant
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Pithy put-downs"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
  • Similar words include: tut-tut, tsk, tut
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TSKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "14. Main ingredient in an aviation cocktail"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that strong liquor flavored with juniper berries
  • Similar words include: snare, noose, knock rummy
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "15. "I like the sound of that!""

14 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ______________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOWWERETALKING

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "20. "So adorable!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AWW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "24. Prepare to ship, say"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOXUP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Delivery means to a gas station"

10 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: __________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FUELTANKER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "27. Count in the Blues Hall of Fame"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BASIE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "28. On the ___ (frequently, informally)"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REG

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "29. Bird whose eggs are sometimes a canvas for Aboriginal art"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various systems of units for measuring electricity and magnetism
  • Similar words include: Dromaius novaehollandiae, electromagnetic unit, Emu novaehollandiae
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EMU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "30. Capotes are flapped at them"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TOROS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "31. "Let's go, sleepyhead!""

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPANDATEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "32. Booking, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells
  • Similar words include: re, Re, rhenium
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "33. Server's obstacle"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the tcp/ip network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
  • Similar words include: network, profit, web
  • Opposite of: gross
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NET

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. "Word on the street is ...""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: THEYSAY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "41. ___ Brown, author of "The Da Vinci Code""

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "42. Night of lawlessness in a long-running horror franchise, with "the""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the act of clearing yourself (or another) from some stigma or charge
  • Similar words include: be sick, disgorge, regorge
  • Opposite of: keep down, rehabilitate
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: PURGE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "43. Try-hard"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not
  • Similar words include: stumper, toughie, model
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: POSER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "45. Kind of acid"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the radical -nh2
  • Similar words include: amino group, aminic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: AMINO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "46. Stem component"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the woody part of plants: the supporting and water-conducting tissue, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XYLEM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "47. Capitulate"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
  • Similar words include: undermine, spelunk
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: CAVE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "48. Lender's security"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged
  • Similar words include: spleen
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "49. Table outside"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flat tableland with steep edges
  • Similar words include: table
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MESA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "50. Big purveyor of health supplements"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: GNC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "52. Gender-neutral term in a family"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a person's brother or sister
  • Similar words include: blood relative, cognate, sibling
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIB

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Expert Solving Strategies

Start Smart

Begin with fill-in-the-blank clues and short 3-4 letter words. These are your foundation.

Decode the Clues

Question marks indicate wordplay or puns. "Maybe" suggests multiple interpretations.

Use Cross-References

Let intersecting letters guide you. One correct answer unlocks several others.

Build Vocabulary

Common crossword words repeat. Learning them speeds up future solving.

Today's Puzzle Stats

33 Across Clues
35 Down Clues
68 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

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Last updated: January 02, 2026 at 04:26 AM

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