NYT Mini Crossword May 22, 2025: Hints and answers to solve the complete Thursday puzzle

The New York Times’ popular bite-sized word challenge, The Mini Crossword, continues to hold daily wordsmiths in its grip. While the larger NYT Crossword is reserved for subscribers, The Mini—which resets each weekday evening at 10 p.m. ET—has developed its own loyal following. For enthusiasts seeking guidance or those momentarily stumped, we bring you hints and solutions for Thursday, May 22, 2025.Unlike its lengthier sibling, The Mini features a compact 5x5 grid and is designed to test quick thinking and vocabulary.

Though deceptively simple at first glance, the puzzle often hides clever wordplay and cultural references.

Solvers accustomed to the NYT’s suite of daily games—including Wordle, Connections, and Strands—frequently turn to The Mini as a daily mental warm-up or wind-down.


The following includes detailed hints as well as the confirmed NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday’s edition, but readers are advised to proceed with caution to avoid spoilers, as per a report by Parade magazine.

Hints for Across Clues – Thursday, May 22

1 Across: Part of a fleet
Hint: Begins with “S” — Think maritime.

5 Across: Answer to Gollum’s riddle in The Hobbit
Hint: Begins with “T” — Consider what devours all things, including time itself.

6 Across: “See ya!”
Hint: Ends with “R” — A casual farewell.

7 Across: Second-most popular girl’s name of the 2020s, after Olivia
Hint: Starts with “E” — A common name in U.S. baby naming charts.

8 Across: Not keeping secrets
Hint: Ends with “N” — Often used to describe transparency.

Hints for Down Clues – Thursday, May 22

1 Down: Sticker on an envelope
Hint: Ends with “P” — Postal necessity.

2 Down: “I’d like another card,” in blackjack
Hint: Starts with “H” — Standard game phrase.

3 Down: “Uhh, that is to say …”
Hint: Starts with “I” — A phrase used to clarify or correct oneself.

4 Down: The “p” of m.p.h.
Hint: Starts with “P” — A unit of measurement.

6 Down: Name taken by the new pope
Hint: Starts with “O” — Historically significant papal name.

NYT Mini Crossword Answers for May 22, 2025

Below are the confirmed NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday’s puzzle. Solvers still working through the grid may wish to pause here.

Across Answers:

• 1 Across: SHIP – A standard component of any sea fleet.
  
• 5 Across: TIME – The answer to Gollum’s riddle, representing the devourer of all.
  
• 6 Across: LATER – A casual parting phrase.
  
• 7 Across: EMMA – A leading baby name in the early 2020s.
  
• 8 Across: OPEN – Indicating lack of secrecy.
  

Down Answers:

• 1 Down: STAMP – Affixed to envelopes for postage.
  
• 2 Down: HITME – Commonly requested in blackjack when asking for another card.
  
• 3 Down: IMEAN – Used to restate or clarify a thought.
  
• 4 Down: PER – Denoting “per hour” in speed measurement.
  
• 6 Down: LEO – A traditional papal name, used by several popes in history.
  

FAQs

What is The New York Times Mini Crossword?

The Mini Crossword is a quick, daily word puzzle from The New York Times, designed for fast, accessible solving. It features a compact 5x5 grid and resets every weekday at 10 p.m. ET.

Is the Mini Crossword available to everyone?

Yes, unlike the full-sized NYT Crossword, which requires a subscription, The Mini is free to play and has developed a dedicated daily following.