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 Wednesday, October 29, 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 Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Skill taught at lifeguard training, for short — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”
4 Across: Bop it! — HINT: Starts with the letter “H”
6 Across: Not given anything to eat —HINT: Ends with the letter “D”
8 Across: Twist it! Pull it! —HINT: Starts with the letter “T”
9 Across: Best of the best — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
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NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Means of getting trash to a basement dumpster — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
2 Down: Word that can precede “code” or “colony” — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”
3 Down: “Baby Beluga” musician — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”
5 Down: Neatly skillful — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
7 Down: Change the color of, as hair — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Wednesday, October 29, 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: Skill taught at lifeguard training, for short — CPR
4 Across: Bop it! — HEAD
6 Across: Not given anything to eat — UNFED
8 Across: Twist it! Pull it! — TAFFY
9 Across: Best of the best — ELITE
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Means of getting trash to a basement dumpster — CHUTE
2 Down: Word that can precede “code” or “colony” — PENAL
3 Down: “Baby Beluga” musician — RAFFI
5 Down: Neatly Skillful — DEFT
7 Down: Change the color of, as hair — DYE
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