I still find it kind of funny that the Sunday Mini Crossword kicks off halfway through Saturday. I guess it’s because the Saturday edition is even more challenging if we have less time to complete it. It’s a race against the clock! The Sunday edition is loads easier, but just because there are fewer words to solve doesn’t mean they can’t be tricky.
If you’re looking to end your fun in the sun with some good TV shows or movies, be sure to check out my weekend streaming guide with all the best current streaming options and theatrical releases. Let me know what you’re watching, too! I’m always looking for recommendations.
Looking for yesterday’s NYT Mini Crossword? Check out our hints and answers right here.
The NYT Mini is a smaller, quicker, more digestible, bite-sized version of the larger and more challenging NYT Crossword, and unlike its larger sibling, it’s free-to-play without a subscription to The New York Times. You can play it on the web or the app, though you’ll need the app to tackle the archive.
Spoilers ahead!
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How To Solve Today’s Mini Crossword
Hints and Clues
We’ll start with some extra hints and clues for today’s Mini Crossword, then move on to the first letter of each word and finally the answers below that. Buckle up!
Across
1A. Salsa, hummus, queso, etc. – Goes with chips.
5A. U.S. state capital that rhymes with 9-Across (not 7-Across!) – French name, male.
7A. What broadcasters are on – Not the ground.
8A. “Yes and no …” – Like Maybe So, Kind of
9A. Societal equal – Usually in your professional or academic circle.
Down
1D. John ___ (tractor company) – Wild animal with an extra “e”
2D. Boiling mad – Also what you say when you review something
3D. “Sorry, I have a ___ commitment” – Rhymes with “wire”
4D. Laborer in medieval times – Sounds like a beachy activity
5D. A touchdown is worth six: Abbr. – It’s worth seven ___ after the free
6D. Breakfast chain typically open 24 hours a day – I’d rather jump.
Before we get to the answers, here’s the first letter for each word in today’s Mini.
Across
1A. Salsa, hummus, queso, etc. – D
5A. U.S. state capital that rhymes with 9-Across (not 7-Across!) – P
7A. What broadcasters are on – T
8A. “Yes and no …” – S
9A. Societal equal – P
Down
1D. John ___ (tractor company) – D
2D. Boiling mad – I
3D. “Sorry, I have a ___ commitment” – P
4D. Laborer in medieval times – S
5D. A touchdown is worth six: Abbr. – P
6D. Breakfast chain typically open 24 hours a day – I
Okay, onto the answers! Remember, spoilers ahead!
Across
1A. Salsa, hummus, queso, etc. – DIPS
5A. U.S. state capital that rhymes with 9-Across (not 7-Across!) – PIERRE
7A. What broadcasters are on – THEAIR
8A. “Yes and no …” – SORTOF
9A. Societal equal – PEER
Down
1D. John ___ (tractor company) – DEERE
2D. Boiling mad – IRATE
3D. “Sorry, I have a ___ commitment” – PRIOR
4D. Laborer in medieval times – SERF
5D. A touchdown is worth six: Abbr. – PTS
6D. Breakfast chain typically open 24 hours a day – IHOP
This was pretty easy, no doubt. I started with 1-Across and DIPS then immediately started doing the “down” words backwards, beginning with 4, SERF. I was pretty sure PRIOR engagement was the phrase, so I moved on to IRATE and of course everyone knows about John DEERE tractors and IHOP. Actually, I snuck PTS in there earlier, but I can’t remember if it was before or after SERF. Anyways, this took me 41 seconds. Not too shabby!
How did you do? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
If you also play Wordle, I write guides about that as well. You can find those and all my TV guides, reviews and much more here on my blog. Thanks for reading!
