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. on the weekdays, unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on Wednesday, May 21, 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 Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Either role played by Michael B. Jordan in 2025’s “Sinners” — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”

5 Across: “Wow, wow, wow!” — HINT: Starts with the letter “O”

6 Across: “Gr-” word that follows “green” — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

7 Across: Bit of land in the ocean — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

8 Across: Père _, name for Santa Claus in France — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Trunk of the body — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”

2 Down: “Wh-” word that follows “white” — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

3 Down: Urge forward — HINT: Starts with the letter “I”

4 Down: Bill _ the Science Guy — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”

6 Down: Alcohol paired with tonic — HINT: Starts with the letter “G”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Wednesday, May 21, 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: Either role played by Michael B. Jordan in 2025’s “Sinners” — TWIN

5 Across: “Wow, wow, wow!” — OHMY

6 Across: “Gr-” word that follows “green” — GRAPE

7 Across: Bit of land in the ocean — ISLE

8 Across: Père _, name for Santa Claus in France — NOEL

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Trunk of the body — TORSO

2 Down: “Wh-” word that follows “white” — WHALE

3 Down: Urge forward — IMPEL

4 Down: Bill _ the Science Guy — NYE

6 Down: Alcohol paired with tonic — GIN

That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!

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