NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, May 8
If today’s NYT Mini Crossword had you stumped—especially with that tricky 1-Across clue—you’re not alone.
- Many solvers found the top-left corner deceptively challenging, though the rest of the grid offered helpful anchors to work backward.
- Whether you’re double-checking your answers or just seeking clarity, here are the full clues and solutions for May 8’s mini challenge.
Mini Crossword: Across Clues and Answers
These horizontal entries helped lay the foundation for the puzzle, with several offering solid leads once filled in.
- 1A – Clue: Adjective that rhymes with “sheesh” or “pitch,” depending on who you ask
- Answer: NICHE
- Often debated for pronunciation, it means a specialized or distinct segment.
- 6A – Clue: Colossal ___, marine animal filmed in its natural habitat for the first time in 2025
- Answer: SQUID
- The colossal squid made headlines after being captured on film in the wild, exciting marine biologists.
- 7A – Clue: Like some caterpillars
- Answer: FURRY
- Describes caterpillars with a hairy or fuzzy appearance, which often serves as protection or camouflage.
- 8A – Clue: Some spouses
- Answer: WIVES
- A simple plural form indicating married women.
- 9A – Clue: Bill’s time-traveling partner of film
- Answer: TED
- From the cult classic Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, a nod to ’80s pop culture.
Mini Crossword: Down Clues and Answers
These vertical entries cross the horizontal ones and are often essential for unlocking tougher clues.
- 1D – Clue: Letters meaning “Don’t click this in public!”
- Answer: NSFW
- Acronym for Not Safe For Work, typically warning of explicit or sensitive content.
- 2D – Clue: “You can take this job and shove it!”
- Answer: IQUIT
- A direct and dramatic expression of resignation or defiance.
- 3D – Clue: Feature of a winding road
- Answer: CURVE
- Describes the bends or turns found on meandering roads.
- 4D – Clue: Added to the payroll
- Answer: HIRED
- Indicates someone has been formally employed or recruited.
- 5D – Clue: Dreyer’s ice cream, on the East Coast
- Answer: EDYS
- Dreyer’s and Edy’s are the same brand, marketed under different regional names.
How to Play More NYT Mini Crosswords
The NYT Mini Crossword is part of the New York Times Games collection, which includes popular titles like Wordle, Connections, and Strands.
- While the current day’s Mini is free to play, archived puzzles require a subscription to the NYT Games section.
- These puzzles are known for their quick gameplay and clever cluing, making them a popular daily ritual for crossword fans.
Final Thoughts
May 8’s mini puzzle was a tight grid with a fun mix of pop culture, science, and wordplay, all wrapped in a compact challenge.
- Whether you’re breezing through or decoding each clue slowly, the Mini remains a refreshing mental break in just a few clues’ time.
