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., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on Saturday, July 26, 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 Saturday, July 26, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Down: De bugs? — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
8 Down: Make funnier, as jokes — HINT: Ends with the letter “P”
9 Down: “Life is like a box of chocolates,” for example — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”
10 Down: Dot on a domino — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”
11 Down: In an upbeat mood — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”
15 Down: Important topic in sex education — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
16 Down: Leaves the Union — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
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NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Hoppy order at a happy hour — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
2 Down: Convent member — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”
3 Down: Tech company with a bright yellow scheme and ghost logo — HINT: Ends with the letter “C”
4 Down: Sun block? — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
5 Down: Like many ingredients in a Cobb salad — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
6 Down: Pull sharply — HINT: Ends with the letter “G”
7 Down: One with a secret identity — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
11 Down: Syringe amts. — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
12 Down: Garden tool with a long handle — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
13 Down: Opposite of WSW — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
14 Down: Certain football linemen: Abbr. — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Saturday, July 26, 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 Down: De bugs? — INSECTS
8 Down: Make funnier, as jokes —PUNCH UP
9 Down: “Life is like a box of chocolates,” for example — ANALOGY
10 Down: Dot on a domino — PIP
11 Down: In an upbeat mood — CHIPPER
15 Down: Important topic in sex education — CONSENT
16 Down: Leaves the Union — SECEDES
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Hoppy order at a happy hour — IPA
2 Down: Convent member — NUN
3 Down: Tech company with a bright yellow scheme and ghost logo — SNAP INC
4 Down: Sun block? — ECLIPSE
5 Down: Like many ingredients in a Cobb salad — CHOPPED
6 Down: Pull sharply — TUG
7 Down: One with a secret identity — SPY
11 Down: Syringe amts. — CCS
12 Down: Garden tool with a long handle — HOE
13 Down: Opposite of WSW — ENE
14 Down: Certain football linemen: Abbr. — RTS
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