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, 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. on the weekdays, unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on Friday, May 9, 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, May 9, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Humpty Dumpty, in many illustrations — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
4 Across: Cartoon bear who wears a red shirt and no pants — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”
6 Across: Collection of world maps — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
8 Across: Counterpart of “adios” — HINT: Starts with the letter “H”
9 Across: [See circled letters] — HINT: Starts with the letter “W”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Clean water org. — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
2 Down: Subculture with black clothing — HINT: Starts with the letter “G”
3 Down: “When they _ …” (start of a memorable Michelle Obama line) — HINT: Starts with the letter “G”
5 Down: Angel topper — HINT: Starts with the letter “H”
7 Down: It has sharp teeth — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, May 9, 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: Humpty Dumpty, in many illustrations — EGG
4 Across: Cartoon bear who wears a red shirt and no pants — POOH
6 Across: Collection of world maps — ATLAS
8 Across: Counterpart of “adios” — HOLA
9 Across: [See circled letters] — WOW
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Clean water org. — EPA
2 Down: Subculture with black clothing — GOTH
3 Down: “When they _ …” (start of a memorable Michelle Obama line) — GOLOW
5 Down: Angel topper — HALO
7 Down: It has sharp teeth — SAW
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
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