Welcome to The Mini Hints. If you’re looking to clear today’s grid quickly, you’re in the right place.
Many of us have a daily ritual of playing the New York Times word games, from Wordle and Connections to Strands. But the NYT Mini Crossword is a special favorite because it’s fast and fun. While the main NYT crossword requires a subscription, the Mini is free for everyone. Just remember: this puzzle resets every night at 10 p.m. ET.
If you are working on the puzzle for Friday, May 8, 2026, and find yourself stuck, we have the clues and solutions below. We’ve organized them so you can see the hints first. If you want to avoid spoilers, be careful as you scroll down!
NYT Mini Crossword Hints: Friday, May 8, 2026
If you just need a little nudge to find the right word, use these extra clues.
Across Hints
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1 Across: Squash — HINT: Ends with the letter “H”
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6 Across: Monopoly card with a question mark on one side — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
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7 Across: “Help! Help!” — HINT: Starts with the letter “M”
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8 Across: Path around the sun — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”
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9 Across: Pressing desires — HINT: Starts with the letter “N”
Down Hints
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1 Down: Social media button with an arrow — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
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2 Down: Answer between “yes” and “no” — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”
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3 Down: Took back — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”
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4 Down: Took back — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
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5 Down: “Yo!” — HINT: Ends with the letter “Y”
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6 Down: Dude — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”
NYT Mini Crossword Answers: Friday, May 8, 2026
Ready to see the full solutions? Here are the correct words for today’s grid.
Across Answers
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1 Across: Squash — SMUSH
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6 Across: Monopoly card with a question mark on one side — CHANCE
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7 Across: “Help! Help!” — MAYDAY
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8 Across: Path around the sun — ORBIT
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9 Across: Pressing desires — NEEDS
Down Answers
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1 Down: Social media button with an arrow — SHARE
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2 Down: Answer between “yes” and “no” — MAYBE
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3 Down: Took back — UNDID
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4 Down: Took back — SCATS
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5 Down: “Yo!” — HEY
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6 Down: Dude — CMON
