Welcome to The Mini Hints. If you love a good cookout or just can’t start your day without finishing the New York Times word games, you aren’t alone. Many of us have a daily ritual that includes Wordle, Connections, and Strands. But for a quick challenge, nothing beats the NYT Mini Crossword.
While the full-sized NYT Crossword usually requires a subscription, the Mini is free for everyone. Just remember that it resets at 10 p.m. ET every night, a bit earlier than the other games.
If you are working on the puzzle for Sunday, May 10, 2026, and need a little help, we have you covered. Below, you will find hints to get you thinking, followed by the full answer key further down.
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword: Sunday, May 10, 2026
If you just need a small nudge, here are some extra clues for today’s grid.
NYT Mini Across Hints
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1 Across: Sea creatures that sidle — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
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6 Across: Thomas Edison is credited with popularizing this phone greeting (Alexander Graham Bell preferred “Ahoy!”) — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”
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7 Across: Basement’s counterpart — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
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8 Across: Hot dog, informally — HINT: Ends with the letter “K”
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9 Across: Chess tactics that attack two pieces at once — HINT: Starts with the letter “F”
NYT Mini Down Hints
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1 Down: Husk of wheat — HINT: Starts with the letter “C”
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2 Down: Like throwback fashion — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”
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3 Down: Wedding ceremony site — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”
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4 Down: Lose a staring contest — HINT: Starts with the letter “B”
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5 Down: Pieces of clothing for which two M.L.B. teams are named — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
Answers for NYT’s The Mini Crossword: Sunday, May 10, 2026
Ready to see the solutions? Stop scrolling here if you aren’t ready for spoilers!
NYT Mini Across Answers
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1 Across: Sea creatures that sidle — CRABS
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6 Across: Thomas Edison is credited with popularizing this phone greeting — HELLO
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7 Across: Basement’s counterpart — ATTIC
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8 Across: Hot dog, informally — FRANK
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9 Across: Chess tactics that attack two pieces at once — FORK
NYT Mini Down Answers
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1 Down: Husk of wheat — CHAFF
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2 Down: Like throwback fashion — RETRO
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3 Down: Wedding ceremony site — ALTAR
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4 Down: Lose a staring contest — BLINK
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5 Down: Pieces of clothing for which two M.L.B. teams are named — SOCKS
