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The NYT Mini Crossword is back with another fun and quick challenge. Every day, it brings a fresh set of clues, offering a mix of pop culture, general knowledge, and wordplay. Today’s puzzle keeps things interesting with references ranging from Pixar’s beloved movie “Up” to a classic WWII slogan. Whether the clues seemed simple or had some head-scratchers, here are the answers and explanations.
The Mini Crossword is a condensed version of the classic puzzle designed to be solved in just a few minutes. With a 5x5 grid, it offers just the right balance of challenge and speed. Today’s clues range from animated film characters to sounds and sports references, making it a dynamic mix of knowledge and intuition.
1A: Grouchy homeowner in Pixar's "Up"
Answer: CARL
Carl Fredricksen, the grumpy but lovable old man from the animated film "Up," embarks on an unforgettable adventure.
5A: Sneezy sound
Answer: ACHOO
It is an onomatopoeia denoting a regular sound made when sneezing.
7A: Speedy sound
Answer: VROOM
Horribly roaring noise made when a car or motorcycle is moving very fast.
8A: Pick up on
Answer: SENSE
Detecting or realizing something by intuition.
9A: Facebook message status after "Sent" and "Delivered"
Answer: SEEN
The message has been opened and read by the recipient.
1D: #1 seed in the N.B.A.'s Eastern Conference, informally
Answer: CAVS
Code word for the Cleveland Cavaliers, very often top of the conference being an informal part of a talk.
2D: Farmers' lots
Answer: ACRES
Big extent of lan dmest tres as mostly cited in farming and agriculture.
3D: French wine region
Answer: RHONE
A name of great renown in France's wine league, whether it be red wine or white.
4D: Like lips that sink ships
Answer: LOOSE
"Loose lips sink ships" means everything that comes with careless talk is supposed to lean into trouble.
6D: Anomaly taken as a sign, say
Answer: OMEN
An unusual event viewed as a sign of things to come in the future.
The greatest attraction of the NYT Mini Crossword is that it is simple and uses clever wordplay, and it has yet another use: a short but stimulating mental workout for busy people. Compared to longer crosswords, the Mini gives immediate satisfaction because of its accomplishment in a few minutes.
Apart from the Mini Crossword, The New York Times has brought Wordle, Connections, and Strands into the puzzle department. These games ensure a bit of logic, vocabulary, and pattern recognition in what happens on a day-to-day basis in a mixed manner. The Mini can be accessed for free, while older puzzles require a subscription to the NYT Games section.
Each new day in life presents a whole new challenge and the opportunity to hone word skills. Alone or with friends, the Mini Crossword is a delightful thing to do every single day. So keep at it, have fun with it, and look forward to another exciting assortment of clues tomorrow.
For those who want to carry on the other day and keep the streak alive, tomorrow features another brand new set of clues. So play on, solve on, and have fun with yet another great set of Mini Crossword, one clue at a time!
