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Each day, The New York Times adds a new challenge to the lives of puzzle enthusiasts. The NYT Mini Crossword takes a few words and makes them a mind-stimulating game that challenges vocabulary, memory, and pattern recognition. Unlike the full crossword, which requires more time and effort, the Mini is designed for a quick mental kickstart.
This morning habit has become a favorite destination for early birds, morning subway riders, and nocturnal thinkers. A couple of letters, a couple of smart clues, and the day is a little clearer. That's the charm of the Mini—easy to complete, impossible to forget.
Welcome to April 10, 2025. The Mini has another new combination of wordplay today. Short, snappy clues yield good payoffs. Some are fun, some are challenging. Either way, their solution releases that happy moment.
The grid is tidy. Just a few clues are required. But each letter counts. The quicker the solution, the better the rush. This morning's puzzle has gentle twists and keen turns. Some clues tilted heads. Some smiles spread.
Today's clues have wit. Just enough to stretch brains. Just enough to keep solvers wondering. Each word is a perfect fit, but only after the mind dances around it for a beat.
1A. Smoke tendrils
Answer: WISPS
Thin curls of smoke are commonly referred to as wisps for their light, airy texture.
6A. Undo, as "I do's"
Answer: ANNUL
A marriage can be legally wiped out by annulment, as if it never occurred.
7A. What's the point of church?
Answer: SPIRE
The tallest pointed section of several churches is the spire—seen from a distance.
8A. Adorable flab?
Answer: PUDGE
A chubby, soft spot usually found cute, particularly on babies or animals.
9A. Some prices and precipices
Answer: STEEP
Used to refer to high prices and steep slopes.
Every Across clue segued into something recognizable but molded just a little differently. The double meanings were subtle but biting.
1D. Apple orchard pests
Answer: WASPS
Common stinging insects which are frequently found swarming over fruit trees.
2D. Two cents, so to speak
Answer: INPUT
Providing one's opinion or advice is frequently referred to as giving input.
3D. Like a sarcastic dig
Answer: SNIDE
A snide comment is quietly mocking or insulting in a sneaky manner.
4D. Get rid of
Answer: PURGE
To purge is to eliminate something entirely, usually forcibly or on purpose.
5D. Succumb to a lullaby
Answer: SLEEP
A soothing lullaby may put one to sleep in dreamy slumber.
The Down clues captured fleeting moments—some biting, some serene. Overall, they maintained the puzzle evenly poised between wit and charm.
The NYT Mini Crossword is not a game. It's a daily ritual. A routine that energizes the mind and sets the tone. Some of us solve it quickly. Others take their time. Either way, it offers a new experience each day.
Unlike most puzzles, The Mini isn't about size. It's about accuracy. Five Across. Five Down. That's all. But within that little room exists a universe of thought. Every clue is like a new doorway. Every answer is a little thrill.
Solving today's Mini reveals just how much oomph a little grid can have. It's about seeing connections quickly. It's about patterns. Rhythm. Language.
The New York Times Games section offers more than just the Mini. For those who crave variety, games like Wordle, Connections, Strands, and Sudoku line up as daily companions. Some are free. Others live behind a subscription.
But the Mini remains a universal favorite. Today’s puzzle—April 10, 2025—highlights its draw. From WISPS to SLEEP, the words were compact. But each carried a story. A twist. A grin.
The archives hide thousands of puzzles. Only today’s puzzle is free. But one puzzle a day keeps the brain in play.
Today’s challenge ends, but the next one waits. The NYT Mini returns tomorrow with a new set of clues. Some will stump. Some will click. But each will carry that same bite-sized brilliance.
Each day is a fresh challenge. A fresh opportunity to feel smart. In one minute or ten, each solution matters.
The Mini proves again and again – short puzzles can bring long-lasting satisfaction.
