Every day, my routine isn’t complete without tackling the free word games from the New York Times. Whether it’s engaging with Connections, Wordle, or Strands, these puzzles have become a sacred ritual for many of us. And let’s not forget about The Mini Crossword – a smaller version that also has a dedicated following.
While The Crossword is the main attraction for paid subscribers, The Mini holds its own charm. Unlike other games that reset at midnight, The Mini resets at 10 p.m., adding a unique twist to the daily challenge.
If you find yourself stuck on the Mini Crossword for Friday, November 21, 2025, fear not. Below are hints and solutions for each line, carefully separated into Across and Down categories to help you navigate without encountering spoilers as you scroll.
For those who love a good word game fix more than once every 24 hours, we’ve got you covered with a list of 16 games similar to Wordle to keep the fun going.
As we dive into the clues for the Mini Crossword, let’s start with the Across hints: Pump Iron starts with the letter “L,” Peer begins with the letter “E,” music like Rick James and James Brown ends with the letter “Y,” an animal that can’t change its stripes starts with “T,” and the pointed part of a fork ends with “E.”
Moving on to the Down hints: Shohei Ohtani’s dominant batting hand ends with “T,” a resignation proclamation starts with “I,” fungi types end with “I,” setting down something starts with “T,” and a U-shaped instrument from Ancient Greece ends with “E.”
Now, the moment of truth – the answers to the Mini Crossword for November 21, 2025: Lift, Equal, Funky, Tiger, Tine, Left, I Quit, Fungi, Taken, and Lyre.
In a world where word games provide a much-needed escape, The Mini Crossword offers a delightful challenge that keeps us coming back for more.
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.