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Monday, January 5, 2026

Today's NYT Mini Crossword January 05, 2026 - Complete Solutions with Smart Hints | 5-Minute Solve

Monday's NYT Mini Jan 05 - All 10 Across & 10 Down Clues Decoded

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: September 02 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | August 05 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | NYT Mini Crossword Answers Today |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for January 05, 2026
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Monday, January 05, 2026
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date January 05, 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 51. Losing general at Appomattox
2 Across 14. Situation that precedes overtime
3 Across 46. Mark Twain, for Samuel Langhorne Clemens
4 Across 45. One ___ time
5 Across 32. Aristocrat
6 Across 20. Clothing
7 Across 9. Overhead light?
8 Across 48. Bug killer that goes "smack!"
9 Across 66. Relinquished
10 Across 57. Gridiron success ... or, when read as two words, the conclusion to the sequence formed by the starts of 16-, 24-, 34- and 48-Across

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: "51. Losing general at Appomattox"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Another word like this: leeward

Answer:

Click to reveal LEE

2 Across: "14. Situation that precedes overtime"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal TIE

3 Across: "46. Mark Twain, for Samuel Langhorne Clemens"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'P' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: P_____E

Answer:

Click to reveal PENNAME

4 Across: "45. One ___ time"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ATA

5 Across: "32. Aristocrat"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal NOBLE

6 Across: "20. Clothing"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: A____E

Answer:

Click to reveal ATTIRE

7 Across: "9. Overhead light?"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'H' and ends with 'O'
  • Word pattern: H__O

Answer:

Click to reveal HALO

8 Across: "48. Bug killer that goes "smack!""

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 10 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: F________R

Answer:

Click to reveal FLYSWATTER

9 Across: "66. Relinquished"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'D'
  • Word pattern: C___D

Answer:

Click to reveal CEDED

10 Across: "57. Gridiron success ... or, when read as two words, the conclusion to the sequence formed by the starts of 16-, 24-, 34- and 48-Across"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal TOUCHDOWN

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 6. Lacking a key, in music
2 Down 20. Spicy marinade with chili peppers
3 Down 38. City surrounding Vatican City
4 Down 57. "___ better to have loved and lost ..."
5 Down 35. Pertaining to development in the womb
6 Down 42. Overly refined
7 Down 12. Commands
8 Down 50. Steak similar to a porterhouse
9 Down 43. "Yikes!," to a Brit
10 Down 4. Istanbul native

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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

1 Down: "6. Lacking a key, in music"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'L'
  • Word pattern: A____L

Answer:

Click to reveal ATONAL

2 Down: "20. Spicy marinade with chili peppers"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ADOBO

3 Down: "38. City surrounding Vatican City"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ROME

4 Down: "57. "___ better to have loved and lost ...""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal TIS

5 Down: "35. Pertaining to development in the womb"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal FETAL

6 Down: "42. Overly refined"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: E____E

Answer:

Click to reveal EFFETE

7 Down: "12. Commands"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ORDERS

8 Down: "50. Steak similar to a porterhouse"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal TBONE

9 Down: "43. "Yikes!," to a Brit"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'B' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: B____Y

Answer:

Click to reveal BLIMEY

10 Down: "4. Istanbul native"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'T' and ends with 'K'
  • Word pattern: T__K

Answer:

Click to reveal TURK

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 52 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 05, 2026 at 04:41 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, January 05 2026 mini crossword

on No comments:

Monday, October 27, 2025

NYT Mini Today October 27, 2025: Complete Walkthrough with Progressive Hints

Today's NYT Mini Crossword October 27, 2025 - Complete Solutions with Smart Hints | 5-Minute Solve

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: October 02 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | March 18 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | January 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for October 27, 2025
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Monday, October 27, 2025
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date October 27, 2025
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 24. Application that might be put on with a spray mop
2 Across 30. Useful gadget for international travelers
3 Across 14. Olympic gymnast Sunisa
4 Across 59. First-class
5 Across 39. Openly gay
6 Across 57. Mom on "Family Guy"
7 Across 47. Miseries
8 Across 40. Browser that competes with Chrome
9 Across 4. National park in Alberta
10 Across 49. Pretty ___ picture

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: "24. Application that might be put on with a spray mop"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 8 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'X'
  • Word pattern: F______X

Answer:

Click to reveal FLOORWAX

2 Across: "30. Useful gadget for international travelers"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'R'
  • Word pattern: A_____R

Answer:

Click to reveal ADAPTER

3 Across: "14. Olympic gymnast Sunisa"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Another word like this: leeward

Answer:

Click to reveal LEE

4 Across: "59. First-class"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal AONE

5 Across: "39. Openly gay"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'T'
  • Another word like this: KO'd

Answer:

Click to reveal OUT

6 Across: "57. Mom on "Family Guy""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal LOIS

7 Across: "47. Miseries"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: S_____S

Answer:

Click to reveal SORROWS

8 Across: "40. Browser that competes with Chrome"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'X'
  • Word pattern: F_____X

Answer:

Click to reveal FIREFOX

9 Across: "4. National park in Alberta"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal BANFF

10 Across: "49. Pretty ___ picture"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal ASA

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 35. Headed the cast of
2 Down 10. Words set in stone?
3 Down 52. One of seven won by "Oppenheimer"
4 Down 1. Stuff of little substance
5 Down 51. Full of passion
6 Down 2. What matching ends of magnets do
7 Down 9. Baseball's Gehrig
8 Down 58. Send-___ (farewells)
9 Down 13. "___ sells" (advertising catchphrase)
10 Down 55. Chemical element whose name starts with an 8-point Scrabble letter

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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

1 Down: "35. Headed the cast of"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal STARREDIN

2 Down: "10. Words set in stone?"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 7 letters
  • It starts with 'E' and ends with 'H'
  • Word pattern: E_____H

Answer:

Click to reveal EPITAPH

3 Down: "52. One of seven won by "Oppenheimer""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal OSCAR

4 Down: "1. Stuff of little substance"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'F'
  • Word pattern: F___F

Answer:

Click to reveal FLUFF

5 Down: "51. Full of passion"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 5 letters
  • It starts with 'F' and ends with 'Y'
  • Word pattern: F___Y

Answer:

Click to reveal FIERY

6 Down: "2. What matching ends of magnets do"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal REPEL

7 Down: "9. Baseball's Gehrig"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'U'
  • This is a short form or acronym

Answer:

Click to reveal LOU

8 Down: "58. Send-___ (farewells)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: O__S

Answer:

Click to reveal OFFS

9 Down: "13. "___ sells" (advertising catchphrase)"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'S' and ends with 'X'
  • Another word like this: wind up

Answer:

Click to reveal SEX

10 Down: "55. Chemical element whose name starts with an 8-point Scrabble letter"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal XENON

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: Easy

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: October 27, 2025 at 04:03 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, October 27 2025 mini crossword

on No comments:

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sunday's NYT Mini Dec 21 - All 10 Across & 10 Down Clues Decoded

Sunday NYT Mini Crossword Answers December 21, 2025 - Quick 5×5 Grid Solutions & Tips

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: October 29 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | All NYT Down Clues September 26 2025 35 | October 27 2020 NYT Clues Solutions |

About Today's Puzzle

NYT Mini Crossword solutions for December 21, 2025
NYT Mini Crossword Grid - Sunday, December 21, 2025
Puzzle Statistics
Detail Information
Date December 21, 2025
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 30. Rap's Run-___
2 Across 27. Wrangler alternative
3 Across 46. Fraudulently make seem like
4 Across 89. Sci-fi miniaturizer
5 Across 118. Few and far between
6 Across 58. A bit off, say
7 Across 20. Game piece made of four squares
8 Across 123. "What's done is done!"
9 Across 82. Wrap seller
10 Across 64. Dark side

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: "30. Rap's Run-___"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal DMC

2 Across: "27. Wrangler alternative"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 3 letters
  • It starts with 'L' and ends with 'E'
  • Another word like this: leeward

Answer:

Click to reveal LEE

3 Across: "46. Fraudulently make seem like"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal PALMOFFAS

4 Across: "89. Sci-fi miniaturizer"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal SHRINKRAY

5 Across: "118. Few and far between"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal RARE

6 Across: "58. A bit off, say"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 6 letters
  • It starts with 'O' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: O____E

Answer:

Click to reveal ONSALE

7 Across: "20. Game piece made of four squares"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal TETROMINO

8 Across: "123. "What's done is done!""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal GETOVERIT

9 Across: "82. Wrap seller"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'D' and ends with 'I'
  • Word pattern: D__I

Answer:

Click to reveal DELI

10 Across: "64. Dark side"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal YIN

Down Clues - 10 Total

These clues go from top to bottom in the puzzle.

Down Clues List
Number Clue
1 Down 1. Make furious
2 Down 50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters
3 Down 73. Just getting started with
4 Down 13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments
5 Down 86. Calmed deceptively
6 Down 41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design
7 Down 39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd
8 Down 103. "Ta-ta!"
9 Down 104. Tricky pool shot
10 Down 106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park

Hints and Answers for Down Clues

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

1 Down: "1. Make furious"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal STEAM

2 Down: "50. Woman's nickname that sounds like two letters"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal EVIE

3 Down: "73. Just getting started with"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal NEWAT

4 Down: "13. Iced-tea-and-lemonade refreshments"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 13 letters
  • It starts with 'A' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: A___________S

Answer:

Click to reveal ARNOLDPALMERS

5 Down: "86. Calmed deceptively"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal LULLED

6 Down: "41. Shoe company with an iconic checkerboard design"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 4 letters
  • It starts with 'V' and ends with 'S'
  • Word pattern: V__S

Answer:

Click to reveal VANS

7 Down: "39. 2015 chart-topping hit for the Weeknd"

Helpful hints:

  • This word has 14 letters
  • It starts with 'C' and ends with 'E'
  • Word pattern: C____________E

Answer:

Click to reveal CANTFEELMYFACE

8 Down: "103. "Ta-ta!""

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal SEEYA

9 Down: "104. Tricky pool shot"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal MASSE

10 Down: "106. Someone enjoying a walk in the park"

Helpful hints:

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

Answer:

Click to reveal HIKER

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 1 minute 10 seconds
Difficulty: Normal

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: December 21, 2025 at 04:22 AM

Search terms: NYT Mini, Mini crossword, today, answers, hints, December 21 2025 mini crossword

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Monday, October 27, 2025

XWordHint Crossword Answers October 27, 2025 | 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

October 27, 2025 NYT Crossword Solutions

Today's Puzzle Difficulty: Medium

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. Prepare, as samosas 3
2A 4. National park in Alberta 5
3A 9. Partner of Clark in exploration 5
4A 14. Olympic gymnast Sunisa 3
5A 15. Ad that's handed out on the street 5
6A 16. Put in one's two cents 5
7A 17. ___ and downs 3
8A 18. Celestial event on September 22 or 23, typically 11
9A 20. Swampy areas 4
10A 22. "In ___ of gifts ..." 4
11A 23. Number of points "Q" is worth in Scrabble 3
12A 24. Application that might be put on with a spray mop 8
13A 27. You love, in Latin 4
14A 29. French king 3
15A 30. Useful gadget for international travelers 7
16A 33. "The most amazing part is ..." 9
17A 38. ___ Island (smallest U.S. state) 5
18A 39. Openly gay 3
19A 40. Browser that competes with Chrome 7
20A 42. I.C.U. staffers 3
21A 43. Red hair or hazel eyes, e.g. 5
22A 45. N.B.A. team in southern Florida 9
23A 47. Miseries 7
24A 49. Pretty ___ picture 3
25A 50. Taken-back auto 4
26A 51. Location of many gold reserves 8
27A 56. Weightlifting unit 3
28A 57. Mom on "Family Guy" 4
29A 59. First-class 4
30A 60. Secondary medication results ... or a phonetic hint to 18-, 24-, 40- and 51-Across 11
31A 64. Material for the woodman in "The Wizard of Oz" 3
32A 65. Indian or Pakistani 5
33A 66. Bowling scoresheet unit 5
34A 67. "Green" prefix 3
35A 68. Slow, musically 5
36A 69. Damascus's land 5
37A 70. Lion's lair 3

Across Clues - Strategic Hints

1A: "1. Prepare, as samosas"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that english painter and art critic (1866-1934)
  • Similar words include: small fry, tiddler, nipper
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2A: "4. National park in Alberta"

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a popular vacation spot in the canadian rockies
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BANFF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3A: "9. Partner of Clark in exploration"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)
  • Similar words include: John L. Lewis, Harry Sinclair Lewis, Carl Lewis
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEWIS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4A: "14. Olympic gymnast Sunisa"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that united states filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in america (born in 1957)
  • Similar words include: leeward, Spike Lee, Henry Lee
  • Opposite of: windward
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5A: "15. Ad that's handed out on the street"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that someone who travels by air
  • Similar words include: broadsheet, throwaway, handbill
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLIER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6A: "16. Put in one's two cents"

5 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
  • Similar words include: guess, sound off, speak up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OPINE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7A: "17. ___ and downs"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Similar words include: up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: UPS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8A: "18. Celestial event on September 22 or 23, typically"

11 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FALLEQUINOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9A: "20. Swampy areas"

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that 100 fen equal 1 yuan in china
  • Similar words include: fen, fenland, marshland
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FENS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10A: "22. "In ___ of gifts ...""

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
  • Similar words include: stead, place, position
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LIEU

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11A: "23. Number of points "Q" is worth in Scrabble"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
  • Similar words include: decade, tenner, X
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12A: "24. Application that might be put on with a spray mop"

8 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLOORWAX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13A: "27. You love, in Latin"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14A: "29. French king"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid
  • Similar words include: return on invested capital, return on investment
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15A: "30. Useful gadget for international travelers"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a musician who adapts a composition for particular voices or instruments or for another style of performance
  • Similar words include: transcriber, arranger, adaptor
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ADAPTER

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16A: "33. "The most amazing part is ...""

9 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17A: "38. ___ Island (smallest U.S. state)"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18A: "39. Openly gay"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball
  • Similar words include: taboo, away, proscribed
  • Opposite of: safe
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OUT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19A: "40. Browser that competes with Chrome"

7 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20A: "42. I.C.U. staffers"

3 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a radioactive gaseous element formed by the disintegration of radium; the heaviest of the inert gasses; occurs naturally (especially in areas over granite) and is considered a hazard to health
  • Similar words include: radon, Rn, registered nurse
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RNS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21A: "43. Red hair or hazel eyes, e.g."

5 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TRAIT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22A: "45. N.B.A. team in southern Florida"

9 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23A: "47. Miseries"

7 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
  • Similar words include: sorrow, sadness, grief
  • Opposite of: joy
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORROWS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24A: "49. Pretty ___ picture"

3 letters Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25A: "50. Taken-back auto"

4 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26A: "51. Location of many gold reserves"

8 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FORTKNOX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27A: "56. Weightlifting unit"

3 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that informal abbreviation of `representative'
  • Similar words include: repp
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28A: "57. Mom on "Family Guy""

4 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29A: "59. First-class"

4 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30A: "60. Secondary medication results ... or a phonetic hint to 18-, 24-, 40- and 51-Across"

11 letters Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Pattern: ___________
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SIDEEFFECTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31A: "64. Material for the woodman in "The Wizard of Oz""

3 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
  • Similar words include: cannister, tin can, canister
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: TIN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32A: "65. Indian or Pakistani"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a native or inhabitant of asia
  • Similar words include: Asiatic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ASIAN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33A: "66. Bowling scoresheet unit"

5 letters Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the framework for a pair of eyeglasses
  • Similar words include: redact, anatomy, cast
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FRAME

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34A: "67. "Green" prefix"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35A: "68. Slow, musically"

5 letters Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that (of tempo) slow
  • Similar words include: slowly
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LENTO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36A: "69. Damascus's land"

5 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an asian republic in the middle east at the east end of the mediterranean; site of some of the world's most ancient centers of civilization
  • Similar words include: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SYRIA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37A: "70. Lion's lair"

3 letters Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the habitation of wild animals
  • Similar words include: lair, hideout, hideaway
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: DEN

Remember this word for future puzzles!

Down Clues - Complete List

No. Clue Letters
1D 1. Stuff of little substance 5
2D 2. What matching ends of magnets do 5
3D 3. Like 20 Questions questions 5
4D 4. Person who might have the other half of a heart necklace, in brief 3
5D 5. In the manner of 3
6D 6. Nabisco wafer brand 5
7D 7. Longtime Supreme Court justice Frankfurter 5
8D 8. On the house 4
9D 9. Baseball's Gehrig 3
10D 10. Words set in stone? 7
11D 11. Establishment with red, white and rosé options 9
12D 12. Knowing, as a secret 4
13D 13. "___ sells" (advertising catchphrase) 3
14D 19. Campus courtyard 4
15D 21. Arrange from newest to oldest, say 4
16D 25. Santa's landing spot 7
17D 26. Service symbolized by a dot and three curved lines 4
18D 28. Believer in communism achieved through class struggle 7
19D 30. ___ Romeo (sports car) 4
20D 31. Poet ___ St. Vincent Millay 4
21D 32. Breather 4
22D 33. Computer-controlled players, in gaming lingo 4
23D 34. Continental cash 4
24D 35. Headed the cast of 9
25D 36. Weapons 4
26D 37. Luau garland 3
27D 41. Ilhan of Congress 4
28D 44. "This cannot be stressed enough ..." 7
29D 46. Maori dance with rhythmic chanting 4
30D 48. "The Three Little Pigs" antagonist 4
31D 51. Full of passion 5
32D 52. One of seven won by "Oppenheimer" 5
33D 53. Famous 5
34D 54. In the cooler 5
35D 55. Chemical element whose name starts with an 8-point Scrabble letter 5
36D 56. What yeast makes dough do 4
37D 58. Send-___ (farewells) 4
38D 60. Seasoning for una margarita 3
39D 61. Ambient music composer Brian 3
40D 62. "I wish I could unhear everything you just said!" 3
41D 63. Mermaid's milieu 3

Down Clues - Strategic Hints

1D: "1. Stuff of little substance"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any light downy material
  • Similar words include: bodge, muff, screw up
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FLUFF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

2D: "2. What matching ends of magnets do"

5 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that cause to move back by force or influence
  • Similar words include: force back, push back, fight off
  • Opposite of: attract
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REPEL

Remember this word for future puzzles!

3D: "3. Like 20 Questions questions"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

4D: "4. Person who might have the other half of a heart necklace, in brief"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

5D: "5. In the manner of"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ALA

Remember this word for future puzzles!

6D: "6. Nabisco wafer brand"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

7D: "7. Longtime Supreme Court justice Frankfurter"

5 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

8D: "8. On the house"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that people who are free
  • Similar words include: disengage, relieve, liberal
  • Opposite of: bound, unfree
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FREE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

9D: "9. Baseball's Gehrig"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

10D: "10. Words set in stone?"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EPITAPH

Remember this word for future puzzles!

11D: "11. Establishment with red, white and rosé options"

9 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

12D: "12. Knowing, as a secret"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

13D: "13. "___ sells" (advertising catchphrase)"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that activities associated with sexual intercourse
  • Similar words include: sex activity, arouse, wind up
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEX

Remember this word for future puzzles!

14D: "19. Campus courtyard"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that one of four children born at the same time from the same pregnancy
  • Similar words include: quadrangle, space, quadruplet
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: QUAD

Remember this word for future puzzles!

15D: "21. Arrange from newest to oldest, say"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
  • Similar words include: form, classify, sorting
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SORT

Remember this word for future puzzles!

16D: "25. Santa's landing spot"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the top of a (usually flat) roof
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ROOFTOP

Remember this word for future puzzles!

17D: "26. Service symbolized by a dot and three curved lines"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a local area network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet; uses ethernet protocol
  • Similar words include: wireless local area network, WLAN, wireless fidelity
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WIFI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

18D: "28. Believer in communism achieved through class struggle"

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an advocate of marxism
  • Similar words include: bolshy, red, bolshie
  • Pattern: _______
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: MARXIST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

19D: "30. ___ Romeo (sports car)"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

20D: "31. Poet ___ St. Vincent Millay"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

21D: "32. Breather"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that something left after other parts have been taken away
  • Similar words include: relief, rest period, residual
  • Opposite of: be active, change
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: REST

Remember this word for future puzzles!

22D: "33. Computer-controlled players, in gaming lingo"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that botfly larva; typically develops inside the body of a horse or sheep or human
  • Similar words include: bot
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: BOTS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

23D: "34. Continental cash"

4 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that the basic monetary unit of most members of the european union (introduced in 1999); in 2002 twelve european nations (germany, france, belgium, luxembourg, the netherlands, italy, spain, portugal, ireland, greece, austria, finland) adopted the euro as their basic unit of money and abandoned their traditional currencies
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: EURO

Remember this word for future puzzles!

24D: "35. Headed the cast of"

9 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

25D: "36. Weapons"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that weapons considered collectively
  • Similar words include: build up, limb, munition
  • Opposite of: disarm
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: ARMS

Remember this word for future puzzles!

26D: "37. Luau garland"

3 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
  • Similar words include: coronal, leu, wreath
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: LEI

Remember this word for future puzzles!

27D: "41. Ilhan of Congress"

4 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

28D: "44. "This cannot be stressed enough ...""

7 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

29D: "46. Maori dance with rhythmic chanting"

4 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

30D: "48. "The Three Little Pigs" antagonist"

4 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of north america and eurasia that usually hunt in packs
  • Similar words include: skirt chaser, woman chaser, savage
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: WOLF

Remember this word for future puzzles!

31D: "51. Full of passion"

5 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that characterized by intense emotion
  • Similar words include: fervid, impassioned, ardent
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: FIERY

Remember this word for future puzzles!

32D: "52. One of seven won by "Oppenheimer""

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that an annual award by the academy of motion picture arts and sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
  • Similar words include: Academy Award
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OSCAR

Remember this word for future puzzles!

33D: "53. Famous"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that make mention of
  • Similar words include: famed, renowned, far-famed
  • Opposite of: ignore
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: NOTED

Remember this word for future puzzles!

34D: "54. In the cooler"

5 letters 💭 Category: Proper Noun

Solving Hints:

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

Remember this word for future puzzles!

35D: "55. Chemical element whose name starts with an 8-point Scrabble letter"

5 letters 💭 Category: Wordplay

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a colorless odorless inert gaseous element occurring in the earth's atmosphere in trace amounts
  • Similar words include: atomic number 54, Xe
  • Pattern: _____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: XENON

Remember this word for future puzzles!

36D: "56. What yeast makes dough do"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a growth in strength or number or importance
  • Similar words include: hike, salary increase, procession
  • Opposite of: go to bed, sit down
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: RISE

Remember this word for future puzzles!

37D: "58. Send-___ (farewells)"

4 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that kill intentionally and with premeditation
  • Similar words include: off, remove, dispatch
  • Pattern: ____
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: OFFS

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38D: "60. Seasoning for una margarita"

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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39D: "61. Ambient music composer Brian"

3 letters 💭 Category: General Knowledge

Solving Hints:

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

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40D: "62. "I wish I could unhear everything you just said!""

3 letters 💭 Category: Common Word

Solving Hints:

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

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41D: "63. Mermaid's milieu"

3 letters 💭 Category: Abbreviation

Solving Hints:

  • Think of something that a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
  • Similar words include: ocean
  • Pattern: ___
Click to reveal answer (spoiler alert!)
Answer: SEA

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

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Last updated: October 27, 2025 at 04:04 AM

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