Hints and Answers for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on December 11, 2025

For many word game enthusiasts, completing free offerings from the New York Times is a cherished daily routine. The daily rituals include tackling the likes of “Connections,” “Wordle,” and “Strands,” with fans also eagerly engaging in The Mini Crossword. While The New York Times is primarily recognized for its comprehensive crossword puzzle available to paid subscribers, The Mini has garnered its own substantial fan base.

Resetting at 10 p.m. instead of the usual midnight, The Mini Crossword offers a unique challenge for players looking to test their wit before the day ends. To assist eager solvers, hints for the December 11, 2025, edition of The Mini Crossword have been compiled, featuring both “Across” and “Down” clues. These hints aim to guide players through the puzzle without revealing answers prematurely.

Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword

Across Hints:

1. 1 Across: Painter’s protective garment — HINT: Starts with “S”
2. 6 Across: “Toy Story 5” studio — HINT: Ends with “R”
3. 7 Across: Your answer to “Where were you at 9 p.m. last night?,” perhaps — HINT: Starts with “A”
4. 8 Across: Tennis star Rafael — HINT: Starts with “N”
5. 9 Across: Solemn sound from a church bell — HINT: Ends with “L”

Down Hints:

1. 1 Down: Defeat soundly, in slang — HINT: Ends with “K”
2. 2 Down: Italian city with a fashion week — HINT: Ends with “N”
3. 3 Down: Iron ___ (rust) — HINT: Starts with “O”
4. 4 Down: Small group of conspirators — HINT: Ends with “L”
5. 5 Down: Food for a baleen whale — HINT: Starts with “K”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword

For those seeking immediate answers, here are the solutions for the December 11 edition:

Across Answers:

1. 1 Across: SMOCK (Painter’s protective garment)
2. 6 Across: PIXAR (“Toy Story 5” studio)
3. 7 Across: ALIBI (Your answer to “Where were you at 9 p.m. last night?,” perhaps)
4. 8 Across: NADAL (Tennis star Rafael)
5. 9 Across: KNELL (Solemn sound from a church bell)

Down Answers:

1. 1 Down: SPANK (Defeat soundly, in slang)
2. 2 Down: MILAN (Italian city with a fashion week)
3. 3 Down: OXIDE (Iron ___ (rust))
4. 4 Down: CABAL (Small group of conspirators)
5. 5 Down: KRILL (Food for a baleen whale)

As the excitement surrounding The Mini Crossword continues to grow, fans look forward to tackling new puzzles each day, enhancing their vocabulary and stimulating their minds along the way.