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 Saturday, February 22, 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, February 22, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Size between sm. and lg. — HINT: It starts with the letter “M”
4 Across: Sharp parts of forks — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”
6 Across: Cutting device in a woodworking shop — HINT: It starts with the letter “B”
8 Across: Louise _______, Pulitzer-winning author of “The Night Watchman” and “The Mighty Red” — HINT: It ends with the letter “H”
9 Across: Faux meat option at Thanksgiving — HINT: It starts with the letter “T”
10 Across: Songs, informally — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”
11 Across: Drug also called acid — HINT: It starts with the letter “L”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Consciously focused on the present moment — HINT: It ends with the letter “L”
2 Down: Evasive maneuvers — HINT: It starts with the letter “E”
3 Down: Wished for — HINT: It ends with the letter “D”
4 Down: Kind of deck with four suits: wands, cups, swords and pentacles — HINT: It starts with the letter “T”
5 Down: Tackles of the quarterback — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”
6 Down: “Oh yeah? Wanna ___?” — HINT: It starts with the letter “B”
7 Down: Preschooler’s repeated question? — HINT: It ends with the letter “Y”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Saturday, February 22, 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: Size between sm. and lg. — MED
4 Across: Sharp parts of forks — TINES
6 Across: Cutting device in a woodworking shop — BANDSAW
8 Across: Louise _______, Pulitzer-winning author of “The Night Watchman” and “The Mighty Red” — ERDRICH
9 Across: Faux meat option at Thanksgiving — TOFURKY
10 Across: Songs, informally — TUNES
11 Across: Drug also called acid — LSD
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Consciously focused on the present moment — MINDFUL
2 Down: Evasive maneuvers — ENDRUNS
3 Down: Wished for — DESIRED
4 Down: Kind of deck with four suits: wands, cups, swords and pentacles — TAROT
5 Down: Tackles of the quarterback — SACKS
6 Down: “Oh yeah? Wanna ___?” — BET
7 Down: Preschooler’s repeated question — WHY
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
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