If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I complete all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Wordle and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!
Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan-following as well.
If you’re working on today’s Mini on Friday, February 21, 2025, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Friday, February 21, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Elevator alternative — HINT: It starts with the letter “S”
6 Across: Evil corporation on Apple TV+’s “Severance” — HINT: It ends with the letter “N”
7 Across: Ring-shaped coral reef — HINT: It starts with the letter “A”
8 Across: Aura of confidence — HINT: It ends with the letter “O”
9 Across: ___ Lanka — HINT: It starts with the letter “S”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Severely criticizes — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”
2 Down: One-on-one academic coach — HINT: It starts with the letter “T”
3 Down: A head of our time? — HINT: It ends with the letter “I”
4 Down: Preppy shirt — HINT: It starts with the letter “P”
5 Down: Show with a recently aired 50th anniversary special — HINT: It ends with the letter “L”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, February 21, 2025
Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Elevator alternative — STEPS
6 Across: Evil corporation on Apple TV+’s “Severance” — LUMON
7 Across: Ring-shaped coral reef — ATOLL
8 Across: Aura of confidence — MOJO
9 Across: ___ Lanka — SRI
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Severely criticizes — SLAMS
2 Down: One-on-one academic coach — TUTOR
3 Down: A head of our time? — EMOJI
4 Down: Preppy shirt — POLO
5 Down: Show with a recently aired 50th anniversary special — SNL
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
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