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Thursday, May 21, 2026

NYT Mini Crossword Trivia Week 3 May 21, 2026 - Daily Answers

Quick NYT Mini Crossword May 21, 2026 (Trivia Week 3) - Solutions

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

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for May 21, 2026 — NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Thursday, May 21, 2026

Puzzle Statistics
Detail	Information
Date	May 21, 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 Trivia Week {week_num} 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

Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
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	5. River whose southernmost source is found in Burundi
2 Across	65. German Ms.
3 Across	1. Gossiped-about duo
4 Across	16. Traditional Vietnamese garment whose name means "long shirt"
5 Across	62. "Beware the ___ of a patient man": John Dryden
6 Across	38. Move like a fox
7 Across	63. Ordered
8 Across	64. Increase, as interest
9 Across	34. Goat's cry
10 Across	46. Legal boundaries?

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: "5. River whose southernmost source is found in Burundi"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'N' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: N__E

Answer:

Click to reveal

NILE

2 Across: "65. German Ms."

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'F' and ends with 'U'
Word pattern: F__U

Answer:

Click to reveal

FRAU

3 Across: "1. Gossiped-about duo"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'I' and ends with 'M'
Word pattern: I__M

Answer:

Click to reveal

ITEM

4 Across: "16. Traditional Vietnamese garment whose name means "long shirt""

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'A' and ends with 'I'
Word pattern: A___I

Answer:

Click to reveal

AODAI

5 Across: "62. "Beware the ___ of a patient man": John Dryden"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'F' and ends with 'Y'
Word pattern: F__Y

Answer:

Click to reveal

FURY

6 Across: "38. Move like a fox"

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'S' and ends with 'K'
Word pattern: S___K

Answer:

Click to reveal

SKULK

7 Across: "63. Ordered"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'B' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: B__E

Answer:

Click to reveal

BADE

8 Across: "64. Increase, as interest"

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: P___E

Answer:

Click to reveal

PIQUE

9 Across: "34. Goat's cry"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'M' and ends with 'A'
This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

MAA

10 Across: "46. Legal boundaries?"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
Another word like this: ALT

Answer:

Click to reveal

ELS

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number	Clue
1 Down	1. Short negative review
2 Down	9. The so-called "Pineapple Isle"
3 Down	3. "Bingo!"
4 Down	58. End piece?
5 Down	13. ChatGPT, Claude, etc.
6 Down	8. Philanthropic group with a clock face in its logo
7 Down	32. "Changed my mind," in editing notation
8 Down	49. Fixate
9 Down	61. Some test figs.
10 Down	53. Far from house-trained

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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

1 Down: "1. Short negative review"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'I' and ends with 'D'
Word pattern: I____D

Answer:

Click to reveal

ITSBAD

2 Down: "9. The so-called "Pineapple Isle""

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'L' and ends with 'I'
Word pattern: L___I

Answer:

Click to reveal

LANAI

3 Down: "3. "Bingo!""

Helpful hints:

This word has 11 letters
It starts with 'E' and ends with 'O'
Word pattern: E_________O

Answer:

Click to reveal

EXACTAMUNDO

4 Down: "58. End piece?"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'O' and ends with 'T'
Word pattern: O__T

Answer:

Click to reveal

OBIT

5 Down: "13. ChatGPT, Claude, etc."

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
Another word like this: AI

Answer:

Click to reveal

AIS

6 Down: "8. Philanthropic group with a clock face in its logo"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'E' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: E__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

ELKS

7 Down: "32. "Changed my mind," in editing notation"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'S' and ends with 'T'
Word pattern: S__T

Answer:

Click to reveal

STET

8 Down: "49. Fixate"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: O____S

Answer:

Click to reveal

OBSESS

9 Down: "61. Some test figs."

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'I' and ends with 'S'
Another word like this: IQ

Answer:

Click to reveal

IQS

10 Down: "53. Far from house-trained"

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'F' and ends with 'L'
Word pattern: F___L

Answer:

Click to reveal

FERAL

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
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 1 minute 3 seconds
Difficulty:	Normal

Common Questions About Trivia Week 3

When can I play the Trivia Week 3 Mini?

The Trivia Week 3 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 3?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 3 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 Trivia Week 3?

No! The Trivia Week 3 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 3 solver?

Good Trivia Week 3 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 3?

Trivia Week 3 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Trivia Week 3 Manual for NYT Mini May 20, 2026

NYT Mini Puzzle Trivia Week 3 May 20, 2026 - Solved

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

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for May 20, 2026 — NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Puzzle Statistics
Detail	Information
Date	May 20, 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 Trivia Week {week_num} 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

Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
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	62. John in the sketch "The Fish-Slapping Dance"
2 Across	39. Actress Bow of the silent film era
3 Across	15. European city that "waits for you," in a Billy Joel tune
4 Across	44. Bit of movie magic
5 Across	65. Says OK
6 Across	35. Biting
7 Across	24. Takes back a public statement
8 Across	53. Classic Pontiacs
9 Across	43. Clan
10 Across	37. ___ Kippur

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: "62. John in the sketch "The Fish-Slapping Dance""

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: C____E

Answer:

Click to reveal

CLEESE

2 Across: "39. Actress Bow of the silent film era"

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'C' and ends with 'A'
Word pattern: C___A

Answer:

Click to reveal

CLARA

3 Across: "15. European city that "waits for you," in a Billy Joel tune"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'V' and ends with 'A'
Word pattern: V____A

Answer:

Click to reveal

VIENNA

4 Across: "44. Bit of movie magic"

Helpful hints:

This word has 12 letters
It starts with 'V' and ends with 'T'
Word pattern: V__________T

Answer:

Click to reveal

VISUALEFFECT

5 Across: "65. Says OK"

Helpful hints:

This word has 7 letters
It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: A_____S

Answer:

Click to reveal

ASSENTS

6 Across: "35. Biting"

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'A' and ends with 'B'
Word pattern: A___B

Answer:

Click to reveal

ACERB

7 Across: "24. Takes back a public statement"

Helpful hints:

This word has 7 letters
It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: R_____S

Answer:

Click to reveal

RECANTS

8 Across: "53. Classic Pontiacs"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'G' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: G__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

GTOS

9 Across: "43. Clan"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'K' and ends with 'N'
Another word like this: family

Answer:

Click to reveal

KIN

10 Across: "37. ___ Kippur"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'Y' and ends with 'M'
This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

YOM

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number	Clue
1 Down	17. Old Italian money
2 Down	3. Gets hyped
3 Down	47. Atlanta athlete
4 Down	46. Beauty company whose Nasdaq ticker symbol is its name
5 Down	60. Lenovo products, informally
6 Down	45. Expressed frustration, maybe
7 Down	56. Low voice
8 Down	8. Made level
9 Down	9. Careful, this might be hot!
10 Down	38. Epitome of slowness

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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

1 Down: "17. Old Italian money"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: L__E

Answer:

Click to reveal

LIRE

2 Down: "3. Gets hyped"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'K' and ends with 'P'
Word pattern: K____P

Answer:

Click to reveal

KEYSUP

3 Down: "47. Atlanta athlete"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'F' and ends with 'N'
Word pattern: F____N

Answer:

Click to reveal

FALCON

4 Down: "46. Beauty company whose Nasdaq ticker symbol is its name"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'U' and ends with 'A'
Word pattern: U__A

Answer:

Click to reveal

ULTA

5 Down: "60. Lenovo products, informally"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
Another word like this: PC

Answer:

Click to reveal

PCS

6 Down: "45. Expressed frustration, maybe"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal

SIGHED

7 Down: "56. Low voice"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'B' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: B__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

BASS

8 Down: "8. Made level"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'E' and ends with 'D'
Word pattern: E____D

Answer:

Click to reveal

EVENED

9 Down: "9. Careful, this might be hot!"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'M' and ends with 'C'
This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

MIC

10 Down: "38. Epitome of slowness"

Helpful hints:

This word has 8 letters
It starts with 'M' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: M______S

Answer:

Click to reveal

MOLASSES

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
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 58 seconds
Difficulty:	A bit tricky

Common Questions About Trivia Week 3

When can I play the Trivia Week 3 Mini?

The Trivia Week 3 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 3?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 3 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 Trivia Week 3?

No! The Trivia Week 3 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 3 solver?

Good Trivia Week 3 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 3?

Trivia Week 3 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Today's Trivia Week 3 NYT Mini Crossword May 19, 2026 Answers

Trivia Week 3 Manual for NYT Mini May 19, 2026

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

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for May 19, 2026 — NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Puzzle Statistics
Detail	Information
Date	May 19, 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 Trivia Week {week_num} 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

Read all the clues first - your brain will start working on them
Fill in the short words first (3 letters or less)
Use the crossing letters to help with harder words
If a clue has a question mark (?), it's probably a joke or play on words
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	22. High court judge?
2 Across	36. Frozen dessert franchise
3 Across	61. "Beau ___"
4 Across	57. Like a gut course
5 Across	51. "Yikes!"
6 Across	27. Whale groups
7 Across	26. Joke (around)
8 Across	45. Free-spirited aesthetic
9 Across	60. Breads for Reuben sandwiches
10 Across	16. Sound of a horse's hoof

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: "22. High court judge?"

Helpful hints:

This word has 11 letters
It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: C_________E

Answer:

Click to reveal

CHAIRUMPIRE

2 Across: "36. Frozen dessert franchise"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'T' and ends with 'Y'
Word pattern: T__Y

Answer:

Click to reveal

TCBY

3 Across: "61. "Beau ___""

Helpful hints:

This word has 5 letters
It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: G___E

Answer:

Click to reveal

GESTE

4 Across: "57. Like a gut course"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'E' and ends with 'Y'
Word pattern: E__Y

Answer:

Click to reveal

EASY

5 Across: "51. "Yikes!""

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'E' and ends with 'D'
Word pattern: E__D

Answer:

Click to reveal

EGAD

6 Across: "27. Whale groups"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'P' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: P__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

PODS

7 Across: "26. Joke (around)"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'K' and ends with 'D'
Another word like this: fry

Answer:

Click to reveal

KID

8 Across: "45. Free-spirited aesthetic"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'B' and ends with 'O'
Word pattern: B__O

Answer:

Click to reveal

BOHO

9 Across: "60. Breads for Reuben sandwiches"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'R' and ends with 'S'
Word pattern: R__S

Answer:

Click to reveal

RYES

10 Across: "16. Sound of a horse's hoof"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'C' and ends with 'P'
Word pattern: C__P

Answer:

Click to reveal

CLOP

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number	Clue
1 Down	37. Yoga stance on all fours
2 Down	29. Slowly ___ surely
3 Down	8. Gorp tidbit
4 Down	7. ___ goal (soccer blunder)
5 Down	18. ___ Lingus
6 Down	34. Leaves together?
7 Down	44. Companion to Fannie and Freddie in the mortgage biz
8 Down	2. Skating exhibition
9 Down	40. Nickname for Jeffrey Lebowski in "The Big Lebowski"
10 Down	11. From Nome or Juneau

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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

1 Down: "37. Yoga stance on all fours"

Helpful hints:

This word has 7 letters
It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: C_____E

Answer:

Click to reveal

COWPOSE

2 Down: "29. Slowly ___ surely"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'B' and ends with 'T'
Another word like this: only

Answer:

Click to reveal

BUT

3 Down: "8. Gorp tidbit"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'R' and ends with 'N'
Word pattern: R____N

Answer:

Click to reveal

RAISIN

4 Down: "7. ___ goal (soccer blunder)"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'O' and ends with 'N'
Another word like this: have

Answer:

Click to reveal

OWN

5 Down: "18. ___ Lingus"

Helpful hints:

This word has 3 letters
It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal

AER

6 Down: "34. Leaves together?"

Helpful hints:

This word has 4 letters
It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: P__E

Answer:

Click to reveal

PILE

7 Down: "44. Companion to Fannie and Freddie in the mortgage biz"

Helpful hints:

This word has 6 letters
It starts with 'G' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: G____E

Answer:

Click to reveal

GINNIE

8 Down: "2. Skating exhibition"

Helpful hints:

This word has 7 letters
It starts with 'I' and ends with 'W'
Word pattern: I_____W

Answer:

Click to reveal

ICESHOW

9 Down: "40. Nickname for Jeffrey Lebowski in "The Big Lebowski""

Helpful hints:

This word has 7 letters
It starts with 'T' and ends with 'E'
Word pattern: T_____E

Answer:

Click to reveal

THEDUDE

10 Down: "11. From Nome or Juneau"

Helpful hints:

This word has 7 letters
It starts with 'A' and ends with 'N'
Word pattern: A_____N

Answer:

Click to reveal

ALASKAN

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Here are the best tips from expert solvers:

Step-by-Step Strategy

Quick Scan: Read all clues once. Your brain starts working on them right away.
Easy First: Fill in the shortest words (2-3 letters). These are usually simple words like "IT" or "ON".
Use Crossings: When letters cross, they help you figure out harder words.
Watch for Wordplay: Clues with question marks (?) are jokes or puns.
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 52 seconds
Difficulty:	A bit tricky

Common Questions About Trivia Week 3

When can I play the Trivia Week 3 Mini?

The Trivia Week 3 puzzle is available at 10 PM Eastern Time the night before.

How fast should I be able to solve Trivia Week 3?

Most people solve the Trivia Week 3 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 Trivia Week 3?

No! The Trivia Week 3 NYT Mini is completely free. You don't need a subscription like the big crossword.

What makes a good Trivia Week 3 solver?

Good Trivia Week 3 solvers know common short words, can spot wordplay quickly, and use crossing letters well. Practice helps a lot!

Are the puzzles harder during Trivia Week 3?

Trivia Week 3 puzzles can vary in difficulty. Saturdays are often the hardest, while Mondays are the easiest.

Monday, May 18, 2026

XWordHint Crossword Answers May 18, 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.

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Tricky

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. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout	4
2A	5. Luxury handbag brand	5
3A	10. Petri dish gel	4
4A	14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024	4
5A	15. Stereotypical meal for a college student	5
6A	16. "Veni, ___, vici"	4
7A	17. Like the Code of Hammurabi	10
8A	19. Enterprise rival	4
9A	20. Got to one's feet	5
10A	21. Elmer's product	4
11A	23. "There's a cockroach!"	3
12A	24. Patch up some clothes, say	3
13A	25. Pioneering hybrid car	11
14A	29. Pouty expression	4
15A	30. Future atty.'s exam	4
16A	31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie"	4
17A	34. Tackling of the quarterback	4
18A	37. Nebraska's largest city	5
19A	40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe	15
20A	43. Fibrous part of broccoli	5
21A	44. Nothin'	4
22A	45. Cool, slangily	4
23A	46. "___ Calm and Carry On"	4
24A	48. Region	4
25A	50. Gardener's tool	11
26A	54. Kit ___ bar	3
27A	57. Woodcutter's tool	3
28A	58. Beauty queen's accessory	4
29A	59. Garlicky condiment	5
30A	61. Eye irritation	4
31A	63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across	10
32A	66. ___ leches cake	4
33A	67. Oopsie	5
34A	68. Lotion ingredient	4
35A	69. Toward sunrise	4
36A	70. "Same!"	5
37A	71. Stereotypically antisocial pets	4

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Like a game that has gone into a penalty shootout"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
Similar words include: trussed, draw, bind
Opposite of: untied, disconnect

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TIED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "5. Luxury handbag brand"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "10. Petri dish gel"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that any culture medium that uses agar as the gelling agent
Similar words include: nutrient agar, agar-agar
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AGAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. West Coast sch. that joined the Big Ten in 2024"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: UCLA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Stereotypical meal for a college student"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAMEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. "Veni, ___, vici""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: VIDI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. Like the Code of Hammurabi"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that an inhabitant of ancient babylon
Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: BABYLONIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "19. Enterprise rival"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Got to one's feet"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that come into existence; take on form or shape
Similar words include: get up, grow, rise up
Opposite of: sit down, fall

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AROSE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "21. Elmer's product"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Think of something that cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
Similar words include: gum, paste, mucilage
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GLUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. "There's a cockroach!""

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EEK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Patch up some clothes, say"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
Similar words include: sew together, tailor, run up
Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SEW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "25. Pioneering hybrid car"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TOYOTAPRIUS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. Pouty expression"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a disdainful grimace
Similar words include: pout, wry face
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MOUE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Future atty.'s exam"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LSAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "31. Rae who played President Barbie in "Barbie""

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ISSA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "34. Tackling of the quarterback"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
Similar words include: paper bag, poke, sacking
Opposite of: hire

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SACK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "37. Nebraska's largest city"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a member of the siouan people formerly living in the missouri river valley in northeastern nebraska
Similar words include: Maha
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OMAHA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Governing body in the Harry Potter universe"

15 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _______________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MINISTRYOFMAGIC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "43. Fibrous part of broccoli"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Think of something that material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
Similar words include: stem, husk, angry walk
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STALK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "44. Nothin'"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a quantity of no importance
Similar words include: cypher, nil, null
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: NADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. Cool, slangily"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that street names for marijuana
Similar words include: the skinny, Mary Jane, dope up
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DOPE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "46. "___ Calm and Carry On""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that the financial means whereby one lives
Similar words include: livelihood, dungeon, hold on
Opposite of: discontinue, break

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KEEP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "48. Region"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
Similar words include: surface area, sphere, domain
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AREA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Gardener's tool"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WEEDWHACKER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "54. Kit ___ bar"

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that the leaves of the shrub catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant
Similar words include: cat, African tea, qat
Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KAT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "57. Woodcutter's tool"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Think of something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
Similar words include: ax
Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AXE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "58. Beauty queen's accessory"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
Similar words include: waistband, girdle, window sash
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SASH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. Garlicky condiment"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that garlic mayonnaise
Similar words include: aioli sauce, garlic sauce
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AIOLI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "61. Eye irritation"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
Similar words include: eye infection, sty, hordeolum
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STYE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "63. Advice for the overambitious ... or a hint to 17-, 25-, 40- and 50-Across"

10 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: __________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: STARTSMALL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "66. ___ leches cake"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "67. Oopsie"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
Similar words include: mistake, erroneous belief, misplay
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERROR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "68. Lotion ingredient"

4 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Think of something that succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALOE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "69. Toward sunrise"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
Similar words include: Orient, E, eastern United States
Opposite of: west

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EAST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "70. "Same!""

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SODOI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "71. Stereotypically antisocial pets"

4 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
Similar words include: throw up, CT, computerized tomography
Opposite of: keep down

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CATS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Large brass instruments	5
2D	2. "You have my sympathy"	5
3D	3. Macaroni shape	5
4D	4. 14 of these make up a fortnight	4
5D	5. Con's opposite	3
6D	6. Sprinted	3
7D	7. Friend in Mexico	5
8D	8. Gave out cards	5
9D	9. Zinnia or sunflower	6
10D	10. Director DuVernay	3
11D	11. Attempt something	9
12D	12. "Au revoir!"	5
13D	13. Puts on the line	5
14D	18. Oscar winner Jared	4
15D	22. English town famous for its salts	5
16D	26. Throw out of office	4
17D	27. Long (for)	5
18D	28. Holiday Inn competitor	6
19D	29. Sent by post	6
20D	31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief	3
21D	32. Puppy school command	3
22D	33. Roll of two ones	9
23D	35. "Ta-ta," in a text	3
24D	36. Camera company known for its "moments"	5
25D	38. With it	3
26D	39. Unreturned serve	3
27D	41. Distorts, as data	5
28D	42. Ticket price	4
29D	47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example	6
30D	49. Chapters of history	4
31D	50. Squander	5
32D	51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang	5
33D	52. Houston baseballer	5
34D	53. Swiss ___ (salad green)	5
35D	54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear"	5
36D	55. Apportion	5
37D	56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game	5
38D	60. Apple desktop	4
39D	62. Superlative suffix	3
40D	64. Down Under bounder, for short	3
41D	65. Prefix between bi- and tetra-	3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Large brass instruments"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that the lowest brass wind instrument
Similar words include: bass horn, tuba, sousaphone
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TUBAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. "You have my sympathy""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ICARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Macaroni shape"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
Similar words include: human elbow, cubital joint, articulatio cubiti
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ELBOW

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. 14 of these make up a fortnight"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that the time during which someone's life continues
Similar words include: Day, daylight, Clarence Day
Opposite of: night

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DAYS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. Con's opposite"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that an athlete who plays for pay
Similar words include: professional
Opposite of: amateur, anti

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Sprinted"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
Similar words include: function, bunk, be given
Opposite of: idle, malfunction

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Friend in Mexico"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a friend or comrade
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AMIGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. Gave out cards"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Think of something that act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
Similar words include: take, grapple, cover
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: DEALT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Zinnia or sunflower"

6 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Think of something that (botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
Similar words include: one-year, yearbook, yearly
Opposite of: biennial

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ANNUAL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Director DuVernay"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: AVA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Attempt something"

9 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: GIVEITAGO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. "Au revoir!""

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a farewell remark
Similar words include: cheerio, bye, au revoir
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ADIEU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. Puts on the line"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
Similar words include: risk of exposure, take chances, risk of infection
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RISKS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "18. Oscar winner Jared"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that wife or mistress of zeus and mother of apollo and artemis in ancient mythology; called latona in roman mythology
Similar words include: Latona
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: LETO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "22. English town famous for its salts"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EPSOM

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "26. Throw out of office"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that remove from a position or office
Similar words include: throw out, boot out, drum out
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: OUST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "27. Long (for)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that desire strongly or persistently
Similar words include: hanker, pine, ache
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: YEARN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Holiday Inn competitor"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: RAMADA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "29. Sent by post"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that send via the postal service
Similar words include: get off, mail-clad, mail
Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: MAILED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Writes to on WhatsApp, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Puppy school command"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that be around, often idly or without specific purpose
Similar words include: model, sit around, baby-sit
Opposite of: stand, arise

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Roll of two ones"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _________

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SNAKEEYES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "35. "Ta-ta," in a text"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CYA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "36. Camera company known for its "moments""

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KODAK

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "38. With it"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Think of something that either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
Similar words include: hip joint, coxa, articulatio coxae
Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: HIP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "39. Unreturned serve"

3 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
Similar words include: 1, sensation, breeze through
Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ACE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Distorts, as data"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that turn or place at an angle
Similar words include: skew
Opposite of: align

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: SKEWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "42. Ticket price"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that an agenda of things to do
Similar words include: menu, make out, come
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: FARE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "47. The "terrible twos" and the "threenager" years, for example"

6 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that any distinct time period in a sequence of events
Similar words include: phase angle, form, phase
Pattern: ______

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: PHASES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "49. Chapters of history"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
Similar words include: earned run average, era, epoch
Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ERAS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "50. Squander"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
Similar words include: wild, consume, thriftlessness
Opposite of: conserve

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: WASTE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "51. Outlandishly over the top, in modern slang"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a minor actor in crowd scenes
Similar words include: additional, excess, superfluous
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EXTRA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "52. Houston baseballer"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ASTRO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "53. Swiss ___ (salad green)"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that beet lacking swollen root; grown as a vegetable for its edible leaves and stalks
Similar words include: spinach beet, Swiss chard, leaf beet
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: CHARD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "54. Marsupial often mistermed a "bear""

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Think of something that sluggish tailless australian arboreal marsupial with grey furry ears and coat; feeds on eucalyptus leaves and bark
Similar words include: kangaroo bear, native bear, koala bear
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: KOALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "55. Apportion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

Think of something that allow to have
Similar words include: dish out, accord, assign
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ALLOT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "56. There are 100 of these in every Scrabble game"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

Think of something that a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
Similar words include: roofing tile, tile
Pattern: _____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TILES

Remember this word for future puzzles!

38D: "60. Apple desktop"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ____

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: IMAC

Remember this word for future puzzles!

39D: "62. Superlative suffix"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Think of something that standard time in the 5th time zone west of greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern united states
Similar words include: Eastern Time, Eastern Standard Time
Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: EST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

40D: "64. Down Under bounder, for short"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: ROO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

41D: "65. Prefix between bi- and tetra-"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

Pattern: ___

Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)

Answer: TRI

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

37 Across Clues

41 Down Clues

78 Total Clues

More NYT Crossword Help

Looking for more puzzle solutions? Check out our comprehensive archive of NYT crossword hints and answers. We update daily with expert analysis and solving strategies.

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Thursday, May 21, 2026

NYT Mini Crossword Trivia Week 3 May 21, 2026 - Daily Answers

About Today's Puzzle

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

Across Clues - 10 Total

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

1 Across: "5. River whose southernmost source is found in Burundi"

2 Across: "65. German Ms."

3 Across: "1. Gossiped-about duo"

4 Across: "16. Traditional Vietnamese garment whose name means "long shirt""

5 Across: "62. "Beware the ___ of a patient man": John Dryden"

6 Across: "38. Move like a fox"

7 Across: "63. Ordered"

8 Across: "64. Increase, as interest"

9 Across: "34. Goat's cry"

10 Across: "46. Legal boundaries?"

Down Clues - 10 Total

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

1 Down: "1. Short negative review"

2 Down: "9. The so-called "Pineapple Isle""

3 Down: "3. "Bingo!""

4 Down: "58. End piece?"

5 Down: "13. ChatGPT, Claude, etc."

6 Down: "8. Philanthropic group with a clock face in its logo"

7 Down: "32. "Changed my mind," in editing notation"

8 Down: "49. Fixate"

9 Down: "61. Some test figs."

10 Down: "53. Far from house-trained"

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Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Trivia Week 3 Manual for NYT Mini May 20, 2026

About Today's Puzzle

Today's Trivia Week {week_num} NYT Mini Crossword Grid Layout

How to Solve This Puzzle Fast

Quick Facts About This Puzzle

Across Clues - 10 Total

Hints and Answers for Across Clues

1 Across: "62. John in the sketch "The Fish-Slapping Dance""

2 Across: "39. Actress Bow of the silent film era"

3 Across: "15. European city that "waits for you," in a Billy Joel tune"

4 Across: "44. Bit of movie magic"

5 Across: "65. Says OK"

6 Across: "35. Biting"

7 Across: "24. Takes back a public statement"

8 Across: "53. Classic Pontiacs"

9 Across: "43. Clan"

10 Across: "37. ___ Kippur"

Down Clues - 10 Total

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

1 Down: "17. Old Italian money"

2 Down: "3. Gets hyped"

3 Down: "47. Atlanta athlete"

4 Down: "46. Beauty company whose Nasdaq ticker symbol is its name"

5 Down: "60. Lenovo products, informally"

6 Down: "45. Expressed frustration, maybe"

7 Down: "56. Low voice"

8 Down: "8. Made level"

9 Down: "9. Careful, this might be hot!"

10 Down: "38. Epitome of slowness"

How to Solve the NYT Mini Crossword Faster

Step-by-Step Strategy

Letter Tips That Really Help

Time Goals to Aim For

Puzzle Numbers and Facts

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