.png){kind=logo}
Each day brings a fresh challenge through the NYT Mini Crossword. Fast, sharp, and clever — it continues to draw puzzle solvers with its short but tricky format. New Yorkers on the subway, students between classes, and office-goers on lunch breaks all find a few spare minutes to solve what feels like a sprint through wordplay.
The New York Times Mini is a daily tradition for many. Every new grid tells a story of clever clues, unexpected answers, and smart word choices. Today's grid from April 22, 2025, presents another crisp set of clues designed to tease the brain and spark a smile.
Today’s edition has its share of tricks. Two identical clues appear across the puzzle, proving that even repetition can surprise. It’s a detail that might catch solvers off guard, but this style sets the Mini apart. A limited grid space often means the puzzle has no room for filler. Each clue matters. Each answer hits.
The NYT Mini Crossword for April 22 opens with a playful nod to effort:
1A clue: Work like a ___
Answer: DOG
Classic idiom. Hard work, sweat, persistence.
4A clue: Work like a ___
Answer: CHARM
Same clue. Different path. This time, it’s about effectiveness and smooth success.
That little wordplay twist — repeating a clue with two meanings — creates a unique rhythm today. The puzzle rewards not just knowledge but perspective.
Today’s grid doesn't just test language. It slips into culture, food, emotion, and even music. Each clue, though short, hints at broader ideas.
6A clue: Voice type that falls between soprano and alto, informally
Answer: MEZZO
A nod to the world of opera and vocals.
7A clue: Black-and-white snacks
Answer: OREOS
No explanation needed. These cookies have made their mark.
8A clue: Move one's head in agreement
Answer: NOD
A simple action. A word that bridges thought and body language.
On the vertical side of today’s puzzle, the answers continue with clean, sharp entries:
1D clue: Totally out of it
Answer: DAZED
Not just sleepy — completely lost in the moment.
2D clue: Rice-shaped pasta
Answer: ORZO
Tiny pasta, big in Mediterranean kitchens.
3D clue: Engineered crops, for short
Answer: GMOS
Science, food, and modern farming in four letters.
4D clue: "You can't be serious!"
Answer: CMON
Text language that says so much with so little.
5D clue: Villain's counterpart
Answer: HERO
A common theme in every great story is the battle of good versus evil.
The NYT Mini never repeats the same feel. Every day, it offers new puzzles that mix wit with wordplay. Each grid brings answers that echo through language, culture, and imagination. April 22’s edition blends humor, surprise, and just enough challenge to keep the pace tight and rewarding.
Solvers chasing that quick “aha!” moment find it right here. The simplicity of the Mini hides its sharp edge. And just like that — in under a minute or two — the mind resets, sharper than before.
Access to each new puzzle remains free. However, for those seeking to delve deeper into the archive or challenge themselves beyond today’s puzzle, The Times offers more under its Games subscription. Wordle, Strands, Connections, and more join the Mini to create a full playground for word fans.
The Mini may be small in size, but it continues to build a loyal crowd with each new puzzle. Not just in the U.S., but across the globe, fans wake up to their daily crossword fix. For many, it’s now a quiet ritual.
The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 22, 2025, delivers another round of clever fun. Short clues, big ideas, and smart answers — all wrapped up in a tidy, satisfying grid. Whether it was DOG or CHARM that first caught attention, today’s puzzle proves again why this daily brain game remains a hit.
Each clue brings a moment of connection, a small victory, and a quiet thrill. That’s the power of the Mini — creating daily joy in just a few words.
