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The NYT Mini Crossword for December 8 brings a smooth mix of cultural clues, simple words, and light challenges, making it a quick and refreshing daily mental boost.
Each across and down clue offers clear direction, short answers, and a direct solving path, allowing every box to guide the next and form a fast, clean grid.
NYT Games continues its daily puzzle cycle with fresh clues and neat wordplay, and tomorrow promises another new Mini to extend this steady solving routine.
A new day brings a new NYT Mini Crossword. Another compact grid stands ready with neat clues and crisp wordplay. The Mini delivers a quick mental rush every morning, and today’s set holds a clean mix of geography, culture, simple vocabulary, and a few fun curveballs. The clues come quickly, the answers are secured firmly, and every box gives a hint to the next one to be filled.
The Mini of 8 December 2025 consists of a combination of culture, simple objects, directions, food, and common daily terms. The grid remains small, but each slot still holds intelligent clues that encourage quick thinking. Many solvers consider the Mini a warm-up to the bigger crosswords. Others make it a daily ritual. Some love the rush of getting every square right in no time.
This edition welcomes a fresh round of across and down clues and offers a clean and friendly set of clues that guide the mind without stress. Each one feels sharp and direct. Every hint lands clearly, and every word fits smoothly. The full solved set sits below with clear one-line explanations. No repeated hints. No repeated facts. Just clear, solving insight in short, readable lines.
The clues feel light, the answers stay short, and the grid forms a neat bundle of morning challenge. Below are all the clues with their answer and a short one-line explanation.
1A Clue: ___ Mahal
Answer: TAJ
The clue points to the world-famous Taj Mahal, so the blank fits “TAJ.”
4A Clue: "Everything must go!" event
Answer: SALE
A phrase like this appears in store ads, so the clue directs straight to “SALE.”
5A Clue: Deadly snake with fangs that fold upward
Answer: VIPER
A viper carries hinged fangs that rise before striking, so this reptile fits the clue.
6A Clue: Netflix crime drama set in the mountains of Missouri
Answer: OZARK
This show unfolds in Missouri’s rugged lake region, making “OZARK” the precise match.
7A Clue: W, on a map
Answer: WEST
Maps mark the letter W as the direction “WEST,” so the clue lands cleanly.
1D Clue: Spanish small plates
Answer: TAPAS
Spanish kitchens serve small dishes called tapas, so the clue needs this word.
2D Clue: Ding on a phone, e.g.
Answer: ALERT
An alert on the phone is signaled by a ding, which is the function of the sound that the clue indicates.
3D Clue: Meanie face
Answer: JERK
A mean person often gets labeled a jerk, so the clue points to this term.
4D Clue: Shoebox number
Answer: SIZE
A shoebox lists the footwear size, so this clue connects to the number printed on it.
5D Clue: Oath
Answer: VOW
An oath and a vow share the same meaning, so the link fits directly.
Also Read – Today’s NYT Strands Hints and Answers for December 7, 2025 (Puzzle #644)
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword keeps the momentum of this daily ritual. Each clue moves fast. Each answer stays sharp. Short words bring strong meaning, so the puzzle feels balanced from start to finish. The grid combines a landmark, a sale slogan, wildlife trivia, a major Netflix title, and simple directional knowledge. The down list adds culture, sound cues, and quick descriptions.
The puzzle forms a neat mental loop. “TAJ” sets the tone with heritage. “SALE” adds a commercial touch. “VIPER” injects danger and biology. “OZARK” brings modern streaming culture. “WEST” grounds the grid with direction. The down clues then tighten the structure by weaving food, sound, personality, measurement, and promise.
Each line solves cleanly without confusion. Each clue rewards quick recall. Today’s Mini stands as another tight, fresh challenge from the NYT team.
Another NYT Mini Crossword closes with neat, simple fills and light brain work. NYT Games sends a fresh puzzle every day, and each grid brings new clues, new ideas, and a quick moment of focus. Today’s set lands smoothly with clean words and clear hints. Tomorrow waits with a brand-new Mini and another small challenge ready to start the day.
Also Read – NYT Connections Hints and Answers for December 7, 2025 (Puzzle #910)
