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The NYT Mini Crossword offers a quick yet clever puzzle daily, blending wordplay with general knowledge.
May 21’s clues ranged from pop culture to everyday phrases, with “grape” and “impel” offering fun challenges.
Short format, big thinking—Mini stays fresh daily.
The New York Times Mini Crossword never fails to bring a new dose of brain-teasing every morning. It delivers a fast, challenging puzzle that fits perfectly into any part of the day. Each square invites a fresh opportunity to think, connect, and complete—no lengthy sessions, just a sharp little challenge.
Each day, this little puzzle pops up with a fresh set of clues. Each is witty in its own right. Although the size is still tight, the clues challenge both general knowledge and witty wordplay. Today's edition stood out with a tricky combination of letter-matching and nuanced meanings.
A new date has a new grid. The puzzle for May 21, 2025, had a great blend of pop culture, science, holiday tips, and tricky phrasing. They all felt fresh and well-positioned. And though some flowed in with ease, others required a few crossings to discover.
Below are today’s NYT Mini Crossword clues and answers, followed by short explanations to help understand how each one fits:
1A. Clue: Either role played by Michael B. Jordan in 2025's "Sinners"
Answer: TWIN
Explanation: Jordan portrays both characters in the movie, so he is a twin figure.
5A. Clue: "Wow, wow, wow!"
Answer: OHMY
Explanation: An informal expression of shock, abridged from "Oh my gosh!"
6A. Clue: "Gr-" word that follows "green"
Answer: GRAPE
Explanation: "Green grape" is an everyday fruit combination and color-word analogy.
7A. Clue: Bit of land in the ocean
Answer: ISLE
Explanation: A small landmass of land that is surrounded by water is commonly referred to as an isle.
8A. Clue: Père ___, name for Santa Claus in France
Answer: NOEL
Explanation: "Père Noël" is the French term used for Father Christmas.
1D. Clue: Trunk of the body
Answer: TORSO
Explanation: The main part of the body, except arms and head.
2D. Clue: "Wh-" word that follows "white"
Answer: WHALE
Explanation: "White whale" is a common phrase, and it usually refers to Moby-Dick.
3D. Clue: Urge forward
Answer: IMPEL
Explanation: To urge or force somebody to take action or move.
4D. Clue: Bill ___ the Science Guy
Answer: NYE
Explanation: "Bill Nye" is a famous American science educator and television personality.
6D. Clue: Alcohol paired with tonic
Answer: GIN
Explanation: "Gin and tonic" is an old favorite cocktail.
What distinguishes the NYT Mini from the rest is its speed format and broad popularity. As opposed to the full-size crossword, this daily game is more of a sprint. But it still challenges speed, vocabulary, and intelligent guessing. A pause of only a second can destroy the rhythm. But completing that last square is always gratifying.
All clues today had a different tone. From entertainment to geography, word science to combinations of words—this puzzle spanned wide territory in cramped space. The upbeat toggles between movie roles and fruity adjectives rendered this week's set particularly fascinating.
May 21’s Mini offered a bit more bite than usual. Especially 6-Across, which stumped until other letters offered a way in. That’s the charm. Each puzzle builds with small wins and sudden realizations. There’s no pattern—just the thrill of finding the right word at the right time.
For anyone looking ahead, tomorrow’s puzzle promises another fresh challenge. The Mini never repeats itself. Every day brings a new set of letters, clues, and surprises. Whether solving in the morning or between meetings, this little crossword continues to be a bright spot for puzzle fans around the world.
Also Read - Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for May 20, 2025
