If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I complete all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Wordle and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan-following as well.If you’re working on today’s Mini on Sunday, March 23, 2025, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Sunday, March 23, 2025

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Women’s World Cup team that had a rivalry with the U.S. during the 2010s — HINT: It starts with the letter “J”

6 Across: Napoleon’s punishment during the 1810s (twice!) — HINT: It ends with the letter “E”

7 Across: Component of muscle tissue — HINT: It starts with the letter “S”

8 Across: Wreck beyond repair — HINT: It ends with the letter “L”

9 Across: Like the air at a hookah lounge — HINT: It starts with the letter “S”

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Joking remarks — HINT: It ends with the letter “S”

2 Down: Statement of truth — HINT: It starts with the letter “A”

3 Down: Kind of bean used in refried beans — HINT: It ends with the letter “O”

4 Down: Spring _____ (start dripping) — HINT: It starts with the letter “A”

5 Down: Afresh — HINT: It ends with the letter “Y”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Sunday, March 23, 2025

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Women’s World Cup team that had a rivalry with the U.S. during the 2010s — JAPAN

6 Across: Napoleon’s punishment during the 1810s (twice!) — EXILE

7 Across: Component of muscle tissue — SINEW

8 Across: Wreck beyond repair — TOTAL9 Across: Like the air at a hookah lounge — SMOKYNYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Joking remarks — JESTS

2 Down: Statement of truth — AXIOM

3 Down: Kind of bean used in refried beans — PINTO

4 Down: Spring _____ (start dripping) — ALEAK

5 Down: Afresh — NEWLY

That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!

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