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NYT Mini Crossword greets another day of wordplay with new challenges and witty clues. This miniature puzzle introduces a combination of swift thinking and amusement, ideal for a short but stimulating brain teaser. Whether it is a daily routine or a light challenge, today's crossword answers are at hand.
NYT Mini loves wordplay, and the puzzle today is no different. A sneaky twist shows up in two identically worded clues with disparate answers. Imagining a "blue expanse"? The answer is all in the point of view.
1A: Drops on a putting green, say
Answer: DEW
Small droplets of water fall on grass in the morning.
4A: Change that a Spaniard or German might request?
Answer: EUROS
The official money of Spain and Germany.
6A: Beat handily, in slang
Answer: SPANK
A word used to mean beating someone soundly.
7A: Annoying, as a younger sibling
Answer: PESKY
Used to mean someone who is annoying or irksome.
8A: Blue expanse
Answer: SEA
A large body of saltwater covering most of the Earth.
1D: Pulls a fast one on
Answer: DUPES
To deceive or trick someone.
2D: Clear, as a blackboard
Answer: ERASE
To wipe out marks, leaving a surface clean.
3D: Speaker of the line about chocolate mixed by waterfall
Answer: WONKA
A nod to Willy Wonka, the celebrated chocolate manufacturer.
4D: Paranormal gift, for short
Answer: ESP
Extrasensory perception, commonly associated with psychic skills.
5D: Blue expanse
Answer: SKY
The open, expansive area above the Earth, commonly looking blue.
All these clues in this Mini provide an entertaining twist, and today's puzzle manipulates common words with surprising turns of phrase. Repeated clue "Blue expanse" is quite an interesting one. One leads to SEA, conjuring far-off waters. The other? SKY, reaching so very far up.
Mini is a small-scale version of the traditional New York Times crossword, optimized for fast solving. Daily, new clues invite players to solve fast and link words effectively. Although today's puzzle is available to play for free, previous Mini Crosswords need a Times Games subscription to solve.
The Times offers a variety of word-based games, including Wordle, Connections, and Strands. Each game brings a unique challenge, from guessing words to linking concepts. Looking for hints beyond the Mini? Analytics Insight’s NYT puzzle hints page covers multiple puzzles daily.
Today’s Mini Crossword delivers another round of smart, engaging wordplay. Whether solving solo or racing against time, these daily puzzles offer a perfect mental exercise. Check back tomorrow for another fresh set of clues and answers.
