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The May 14, 2025, NYT Mini Crossword delivers a sharp 5x5 brain boost, blending quick wit with clever clues. From POLES to KARMA, each answer lands with satisfying logic. A perfect daily ritual for puzzle fans, offering speed, challenge, and fun in one bite.
Every day, The New York Times drops a fresh challenge into the minds of puzzle lovers. That thrill of connecting clues, filling in those boxes, and racing against the clock? It happens all over again with each new Mini. The NYT Mini isn’t just a crossword—it’s a ritual, a quick test of wit and wordplay that sparks a perfect start or break in the day.
May 14, 2025, delivers another tight and clever Mini to decode. With a neat 5x5 grid, the puzzle keeps things sharp, clean, and efficient. No fluff. Just fast-thinking, clever answers, and that satisfying click when a tricky one finally lands. Unlike its larger cousin, this Mini wraps up fast but doesn’t go light on brain-teasing fun.
1A. Clue: Opposite ends of the earth
Answer: Poles
Explanation: Refers to the North and South Poles — the farthest points from each other on Earth.
6A. Clue: Animal with "white" and "black" varieties (really, they're both gray)
Answer: Rhino
Explanation: White and black rhinos are named for reasons other than color; both are gray.
7A. Clue: Plant deeply
Answer: Embed
Explanation: To firmly fix something in place, often used both literally and metaphorically.
8A. Clue: What's coming to you
Answer: Karma
Explanation: A belief that actions, good or bad, return in kind.
9A. Clue: "No" vote
Answer: Nay
Explanation: A formal or traditional way of voting against something, especially in legislatures.
1D. Clue: Program for kids aged 3-5, informally
Answer: PreK
Explanation: Short for pre-kindergarten, a program before formal schooling begins.
2D. Clue: "That's crazy, dude!"
Answer: OhMan
Explanation: A casual expression of surprise or disbelief.
3D. Clue: Sign after Virgo
Answer: Libra
Explanation: Follows Virgo in the zodiac cycle, symbolized by the scales.
4D. Clue: Sworn ___
Answer: Enemy
Explanation: A committed opponent or rival.
5D. Clue: Pop bottles, e.g.
Answer: Soda
Explanation: Carbonated drinks are commonly sold in bottles or cans.
With today’s format, each Across clue works like a key. Once the tops are in place, the Down clues almost fill themselves. There’s a smooth rhythm to this edition, where each answer folds naturally into the next. For those who move fast, it’s a sprint. For others, it’s a solid mid-day pause and reset.
The fun lies not just in solving, but in realizing how words connect. POLES and SODA may live in different worlds, but they link here in a shared logic of letters. That’s the beauty of The Mini — it always makes sense when finished, even if the path to get there twists slightly.
This daily 5x5 isn’t just for die-hard puzzlers. It serves as an ideal entry point into crossword culture. The small grid, the tight clue writing, and the clever mix of themes continue to draw in curious minds every morning. It never overstays its welcome. Just the right mix of quick thinking and fun.
And as seen today, it surprises with clues that switch tones — from heartfelt (KARMA) to humorous (OHMAN) to factual (LIBRA). The puzzle acts like a mirror of language and life, delivered in a perfectly folded square.
Only the current Mini Crossword remains free for all, keeping today’s challenge accessible. But the pull of past puzzles lives in the Times’ subscription archive, where endless grids wait to be unlocked. For those seeking more, it’s a treasure trove of clever clues and timeless wordplay.
Many pair this daily moment with other NYT favorites like Wordle or Connections. Together, they form a full mental gym—each game flexing a different part of the mind.
The May 14, 2025, edition of the NYT Mini proves once again how much fun can fit into a 5x5 box. No wasted clues. No filler. Just pure puzzle craft. This one stands strong, moving from animals to emotions to astronomy without missing a beat.
Every clue holds its weight. Every answer clicks into place. The grid today rewards both speed and careful thought. It’s another memorable entry in the long-running Mini tradition — a moment of mental joy wrapped in black-and-white squares.
