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 Saturday, July 5, 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!
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Saturday, July 5, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Blasts with unwanted messages — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
6 Across: Orderly assortment — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
7 Across: Its state mammal is the bison, and its state sport is the rodeo — HINT: Ends with the letter “G”
9 Across: “Let me think…” — HINT: Ends with the letter “M”
10 Across: Hawaii’s Mauna ___ — HINT: Starts with the letter “L”
11 Across: Shanghai-born N.B.A Hall-of-Famer who stood at 7’6″ — HINT: Ends with the letter “G”
13 Across: Emotionless, as a gaze — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”
14 Across: Another name for an earthquake — HINT: Ends with the letter “M”
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Lead a Catholic ceremony — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
2 Down: Hype up — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
3 Down: Place for Popeye’s anchor tattoo — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
4 Down: Ballots cast from home — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
5 Down: Thesarus listing — HINT: Ends with the letter “M”
7 Down: Alphabetically last of the “five W’s” — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”
8 Down: Silly joke — HINT: Starts with the letter “G”
12 Down: “Excusez-___ — HINT: Starts with the letter “M”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Saturday, July 5, 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: Blasts with unwanted messages — SPAMS
6 Across: Orderly assortment — ARRAY
7 Across: Its state mammal is the bison, and its state sport is the rodeo — WYOMING
9 Across: “Let me think…” — HMM
10 Across: Hawaii’s Mauna ___ — LOA
11 Across: Shanghai-born N.B.A Hall-of-Famer who stood at 7’6″ — YAO MING
13 Across: Emotionless, as a gaze — STONY
14 Across: Another name for an earthquake — SEISM
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Lead a Catholic ceremony — SAY MASS
2 Down: Hype up — PROMOTE
3 Down: Place for Popeye’s anchor tattoo — ARM
4 Down: Ballots cast from home —MAIL INS
5 Down: Thesarus listing — SYNONYM
7 Down: Alphabetically last of the “five W’s” — WHY
8 Down: Silly joke — GAG
12 Down: “Excusez-___ —MOI
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
