Are you like me, where your day just isn’t complete until you’ve conquered all the word games from the New York Times? The daily ritual of tackling Connections, Wordle, and Strands has become a staple for many of us. And let’s not forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, a fan favorite in its own right.
While The Crossword is the NYT’s main puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has a devoted following as well. This game resets at 10 p.m., different from some others that reset at midnight.
So, if you’re diving into today’s Mini on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, and find yourself stuck (we’ve all been there), get ready to unravel the clues and solutions for each line. We’ve laid them out with hints first for both “Across” and “Down,” followed by the answers for each, so proceed with caution if you’re trying to avoid spoilers.
Taking on the challenge of the NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Tuesday, December 16, 2025? Here are some extra hints to guide you through today’s grid.
Across Hints:
1 Across: It has a trunk — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”
4 Across: Kentucky senator _____ Paul — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”
5 Across: They have branches — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
6 Across: Nowhere to be found — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”
7 Across: It has a trunk and branches — HINT: Starts with the letter “T”
Down Hints:
1 Down: Something that’s carried while portaging, perhaps — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
2 Down: ___ breaker, basketball move that causes the defender to fall over — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
3 Down: Two in a fork?: Abbr. — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”
4 Down: Sound that imitates a lion or dinosaur — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”
Test your word skills with today’s Mini Crossword and see if you can crack the code!
Remember, don’t peek unless you’re ready to see the definitive answers to today’s Mini Crossword.
Across Answers:
1 Across: It has a trunk — CAR
4 Across: Kentucky senator _____ Paul — RAND
5 Across: They have branches — BANKS
6 Across: Nowhere to be found — AWOL
7 Across: It has a trunk and branches — TREE
Down Answers:
1 Down: Something that’s carried while portaging, perhaps — CANOE
2 Down: ___ breaker, basketball move that causes the defender to fall over — ANKLE
3 Down: Two in a fork?: Abbr. — RDS
4 Down: Sound that imitates a lion or dinosaur — RAWR
Happy puzzling!
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.