If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Wordle and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword too!
Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan-following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on Thursday, May 15, 2025, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Thursday, May 15, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Direction opposite of WSW — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
4 Across: Shoot out, as lava from a volcano — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
5 Across: “In what place?” — HINT: Starts with the letter “W”
6 Across: Plants you didn’t plant, perhaps — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
7 Across: Like Mini crosswords … and a phonetic description of this puzzle? — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Fencing swords — HINT: Starts with the letter “E”
2 Down: Prone to geeking out — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”
3 Down: Farm animals that sound like vowels not seen in this puzzle? — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
4 Down: Stadium at which the Beatles performed an iconic 1965 concert — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
5 Down: Org. for Hulk Hogan and John Cena — HINT: Starts with the letter “W”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Thursday, May 15, 2025
Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Direction opposite of WSW — ENE
4 Across: Shoot out, as lava from a volcano — SPEW
5 Across: “In what place?” — WHERE
6 Across: Plants you didn’t plant, perhaps — WEEDS
7 Across: Like Mini crosswords … and a phonetic description of this puzzle? — EASY
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Fencing swords — EPEES
2 Down: Prone to geeking out — NERDY
3 Down: Farm animals that sound like vowels not seen in this puzzle? — EWES
4 Down: Stadium at which the Beatles performed an iconic 1965 concert — SHEA
5 Down: Org. for Hulk Hogan and John Cena — WWE
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
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