Today’s Mini was sneaky in a fun way. At first glance, it felt super straightforward. Then I noticed the repeated wording and smiled. This one plays with expectations, and I love when the Mini does that.
Let me walk you through it like I would if we were solving side by side.
Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Game Name | NYT Mini Crossword |
| Date | December 16, 2025 |
| Theme | Clever wordplay around “trunk” and “branches” |
| Hardest Spot | CANOE × ANKLE crossings |
| Final Answers | CAR, RAND, BANKS, AWOL, TREE, CANOE, ANKLE, RDS, RAWR, BAT |
The Nudge
Pay attention to repeated phrases. Some clues look similar on purpose, but the answers go in very different directions.
Progressive Clues
Across Hints
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1A is something with a trunk, but not the leafy kind.
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4A points to a well-known U.S. senator’s first name.
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5A involves places that “branch out,” but financially.
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6A means you’re missing when you shouldn’t be.
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7A uses the same idea as 1A, but this time it’s literal.
Down Hints
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1D is something you might carry across land near water.
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2D is a flashy basketball move that leaves defenders embarrassed.
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3D is a road-related abbreviation.
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4D is a playful roar you’d hear in a cartoon.
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5D is a familiar shape shining over Gotham.
Starting Letter Nudges
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1A starts with C.
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7A starts with T.
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1D starts with C.
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5D starts with B.
Scroll when you’re ready for the full grid.
Final Answers
Across
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1A: CAR
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4A: RAND
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5A: BANKS
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6A: AWOL
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7A: TREE
Down
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1D: CANOE
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2D: ANKLE
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3D: RDS
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4D: RAWR
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5D: BAT
Personal Experience
The two “trunk” clues totally got me. I filled CAR instantly, then hesitated on the second one because my brain wanted to stay in vehicle mode. Once I switched gears and thought literally, TREE dropped right in.
The trickiest part for me was CANOE. I had C-A-N and still tried to make something shorter work. As soon as I trusted the longer Down answer, everything else clicked.
Strategy / Pro-Tip
When the Mini repeats clue language, stop and ask yourself:
“Is the second one a twist?”
Nine times out of ten, it is. Today’s puzzle rewards you for reading closely, not rushing.
FAQ (People Also Ask)
1. Is today’s NYT Mini Crossword hard?
Not really. It’s clever more than difficult.
2. How long should today’s puzzle take?
Most solvers will finish in under a minute.
3. Does today’s Mini have a theme?
No official theme, but the repeated “trunk” wording ties the puzzle together nicely.
