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July 18's NYT Mini blended sharp clues with clever twists, from Ratatouille to Super Bowl LI.
Smart answers like Half, Fe, and Infun show the Mini's mix of culture, science, and humor.
The Mini proves daily that big thinking fits in a small grid: fast, fun, and never predictable.
Each morning, The New York Times brings a crisp challenge wrapped in just a handful of clues. The Mini Crossword is fast, fun, and surprisingly deep. It doesn’t take long to play, but it takes attention to detail to win. Designed to be solved in minutes, the puzzle still delivers clever wordplay, cultural references, and mini mental hurdles.
Friday, July 18, 2025, offers yet another set of NYT Mini crossword clues, and this time, the answers cover everything from chemistry to animation. Whether missed by a second or stumped for a minute, every clue adds value. Below are the full clues, correct answers, and a simple explanation for each.
1A: Clue: Appropriate word that can precede 7-/8-Across and 3-/10-Down
Answer: Half
Explanation: The word “Half” works as a prefix in both across and down entries like “Half MO,” “Half ON,” “Half LI,” and “Half FE.”
5A: Clue: Remy's brother in "Ratatouille"
Answer: Emile
Explanation: Emile is the name of Remy’s cheerful brother in Pixar’s Ratatouille.
7A: Clue: Missouri's postal abbreviation
Answer: MO
Explanation: MO is the official two-letter postal code for the U.S. state of Missouri.
8A: Clue: Light switch position
Answer: On
Explanation: The switch has two states: on and off; this clue asks for the active state.
9A: Clue: Done for laughs
Answer: Infun
Explanation: Actions done “in fun” are meant as a joke or not to be taken seriously.
11A: Clue: Richard of "Pretty Woman"
Answer: Gere
Explanation: Richard Gere starred opposite Julia Roberts in the iconic film Pretty Woman.
1A: Clue: Prefix that means 1-Across
Answer: Hemi
Explanation: “Hemi” is a prefix meaning “half,” directly tied to the 1-Across clue.
2A: Clue: In the midst of
Answer: Among
Explanation: “Among” indicates being surrounded by or in between others.
3A: Clue: Super Bowl that featured a 28-3 comeback win by the Patriots
Answer: LI
Explanation: Super Bowl LI saw the Patriots’ unforgettable comeback against the Falcons.
4A: Clue: Baker’s powder
Answer: Flour
Explanation: Flour is the primary powder used in baking cakes, bread, and pastries.
6A: Clue: Dated feminine suffix
Answer: Enne
Explanation: “-Enne” is an old-fashioned feminine suffix, seen in words like “comedienne.”
10A: Clue: Iron, on the periodic table
Answer: Fe
Explanation: “Fe” is the chemical symbol for iron in the periodic table.
Also Read – NYT Strands Hints and Answers for July 17, 2025
The NYT Mini crossword answers deliver again, balancing pop culture, chemistry, language, and sports. Today’s grid wasn’t too easy nor overly tricky; it fell right into that sweet middle zone. From Emile’s rat-chef world to Super Bowl drama and even dated grammar forms, the NYT Mini crossword today spans decades and disciplines.
Each answer stitched seamlessly with the next, proving once again how well-crafted these puzzles are. Nothing feels random. Every square holds intention. This keeps the challenge fresh and worth returning to, day after day.
The joy of The Mini is its predictability in format but unpredictability in clues. It welcomes new solvers and rewards returning players. With today’s answers cracked, the spotlight shifts to tomorrow’s challenge. A new grid, fresh clues, and more chances to solve, learn, and maybe even break a personal record.
For anyone seeking more NYT Games fun, other daily puzzles like Connections, Wordle, and Strands are just a click away.
Today’s Mini might be over, but its answers linger as reminders of clever design and creative thinking. Each clue was brief, but its answer carried weight. With every new puzzle, the NYT Mini crossword continues to prove that great challenges don’t need to be grand in size, just smartly made. Tomorrow’s box of words will be new, and the hunt for answers will begin all over again. Stay ready.
Also Read – Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for July 17, 2025
