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Every day begins with a fresh challenge from The New York Times. The Mini Crossword, compact yet clever, arrives like clockwork. It's short, smart, and offers a swift mind game to start the morning.
This daily brain teaser doesn't demand an hour-long sit-down. Instead, it delivers five quick clues across and five down. Just enough to tease the brain into waking up. The April 23, 2025 puzzle stays true to this format, offering a playful mix of common logic and creative twists.
April 23 greeted solvers with an evenly weighted puzzle—easy to look at with a hint of trickiness within. Pure logic was required for some clues. Pop culture trivia was called upon for others. The two-part clue today threw in a pinch of challenge, but nothing that pushed the boundaries too hard.
Some felt like riddles, others drew on everyday logic. The Mini greeted solvers with smooth-flowing clues, balanced between wit and ease. Let’s break down today’s grid.
The across clues started off with the tried-and-true combination:
Clue: With 7-Across, flight option that saves money at the expense of sleep
Answer: RED
Explanation: Part of the term "red-eye," an evening flight that's economical but exhausting.
Clue: Like pastel shades
Answer: PALE
Explanation: Pastel colors are light in color and therefore pale.
Clue: Appliance on a patio
Answer: GRILL
Explanation: An outdoor cooking staple often on a patio.
Clue: Simplicity
Answer: EASE
Explanation: When life is easy, things come with ease.
Clue: See 1-Across
Answer: EYE
Explanation: Finish the clue with "red" to create the word "red-eye."
Down clues ventured into various corners of culture and feeling:
Clue: Underpaid employee's request
Answer: RAISE
Explanation: A plea for higher pay when wages seem too low.
Clue: Fashion magazine with a palindromic name
Answer: ELLE
Explanation: "Elle" is the same forwards and backwards—timeless, chic, and palindromic.
Clue: Director Guillermo ___ Toro
Answer: DEL
Explanation: Fills in the full name of the renowned movie director, Guillermo del Toro.
Clue: Thank God, say
Answer: PRAY
Explanation: A habitual means of indicating relief or gratitude in a given situation.
Clue: "Will you look at that!"
Answer: GEE
Explanation: A brief, astonished interjection frequently utilized in informal language.
This puzzle keeps proving that size doesn’t define depth. The Mini often blends news references, lifestyle terms, and timeless expressions. It brings crossword culture to busy people. Just a few minutes of solving delivers a sense of accomplishment.
For newcomers, the Mini serves as an easy entry point into the broader world of word puzzles. For seasoned solvers, it’s a satisfying warm-up. With answers ranging from casual conversation to international cinema, it speaks to many interests.
Access to daily puzzles remains free. For archives and older challenges, a Times Games subscription opens the vault. The full Games section includes other hits like Wordle, Connections, and Strands. Each game follows its own rhythm. Together, they create a space where play meets curiosity.
Solvers can follow NYT puzzle communities online to keep up with trends, time challenges, and clever solutions. These discussions often turn one-minute puzzles into fun debates and breakdowns.
The April 23 Mini delivered on its promise. It entertained. It challenged. It connected everyday ideas with thoughtful wordplay. Clues moved across topics like air travel, fashion, gratitude, and home life. It reminded everyone that learning and laughter can come in small, square boxes.
The NYT Mini Crossword never fails to offer something new each day. It may be brief, but it builds sharpness, improves vocabulary, and even adds a little trivia to the mix. And above all, it stays consistent—a trusted companion at breakfast tables, coffee shops, and commutes across the world.
Today’s Mini crossword brought just the right balance. Light but thoughtful. Short but memorable. From palette tones to patio gear, from grateful words to fashion glossies—it had it all.
And tomorrow, a brand-new Mini arrives. The grid resets, and the clues will change. But the joy? That sticks around.
