Today’s Mini Crossword is a fun one to solve. For many of us, the day just isn’t complete without playing the free word games from the New York Times. Completing the daily Connections, Wordle, and Strands is a favorite routine. But we definitely can’t forget about the NYT Mini Crossword!
While the main NYT Crossword is a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has a huge fan base. Plus, this specific game resets at 10 p.m. ET every night, unlike other games that update at midnight.
If you are working on the puzzle for Monday, May 18, and need a little help, we have you covered. Below, you will find the clues and solutions for every line. We have separated them into hints first, followed by the actual answers. Scroll carefully if you want to avoid spoilers!
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword (Monday, May 18, 2026)
Here are extra clues for each word in today’s Mini Crossword to help you solve it on your own.
NYT Mini Across Hints
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1 Across: Questionable — HINT: Starts with the letter “I”
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5 Across: Country that’s about 25 times longer than it is wide — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
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6 Across: iPhone setting that reduces distractions — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
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7 Across: Magnum ___ (masterpiece) — HINT: Starts with the letter “O”
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8 Across: Get-together, slangily — HINT: Ends with the letter “H”
NYT Mini Down Hints
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1 Down: “Fingers crossed!” — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
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2 Down: Indoor plant whose name is one vowel off from 6-Across — HINT: Starts with the letter “F”
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3 Down: A❤️ 9❤️ 6❤️ 4❤️ 2❤️, e.g. — HINT: Ends with the letter “H”
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4 Down: What “aye” means — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
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5 Down: Corp. money managers — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword (Monday, May 18, 2026)
Stop scrolling here unless you want to see the exact solutions for today’s puzzle.
NYT Mini Across Answers
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1 Across: Questionable — IFFY
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5 Across: Country that’s about 25 times longer than it is wide — CHILE
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6 Across: iPhone setting that reduces distractions — FOCUS
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7 Across: Magnum ___ (masterpiece) — OPUS
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8 Across: Get-together, slangily — SESH
NYT Mini Down Answers
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1 Down: “Fingers crossed!” — IHOPE
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2 Down: Indoor plant whose name is one vowel off from 6-Across — FICUS
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3 Down: A❤️ 9❤️ 6❤️ 4❤️ 2❤️, e.g. — FLUSH
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4 Down: What “aye” means — YES
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5 Down: Corp. money managers — CFOS
