Today’s Mini Crossword won’t make you sweat if you’re a bardolator. And if you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, 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. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on for Today’s Mini Crossword on Monday, May 11, 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 Monday, May 11, 2026
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Itty-bitty insect — HINT: Starts with the letter “G”
5 Across: “Excellent job!” — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”
6 Across: Bird that “croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan,” in “Macbeth” — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”
7 Across: Each and ___ — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”
8 Across: Swollen mark — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
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NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Deathly serious — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
2 Down: Belly button — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”
3 Down: Prevent, as a crisis — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
4 Down: ___ the Tiger, mascot of Frosted Flakes — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”
5 Down: Beer, informally — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, May 11, 2026
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: Itty-bitty insect — GNAT
5 Across: “Excellent job!” — BRAVO
6 Across: Bird that “croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan,” in “Macbeth” — RAVEN
7 Across: Each and ___ — EVERY
8 Across: Swollen mark — WELT
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Deathly serious — GRAVE
2 Down: Belly button — NAVEL
3 Down: Prevent, as a crisis — AVERT
4 Down: ___ the Tiger, mascot of Frosted Flakes — TONY
5 Down: Beer, informally — BREW
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