NYT Mini Crossword - February 26, 2025: Complete Solutions

Aria Freeman

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Post on May 18, 2025

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Across Clues – Solutions and Explanations

Clue 1: Opposite of down (4)

• Solution: UP
• Explanation: This is a simple antonym clue. "Up" is the direct opposite of "down," a common crossword pairing. Related words include above, aloft, and elevated.

Clue 2: A type of feline (5)

• Solution: TABBY
• Explanation: This clue tests your knowledge of animal types. "Tabby" refers to a specific breed of domestic cat, characterized by its striped coat. Synonyms include striped cat, domestic cat, or simply cat.

Clue 3: Singer's high note (3)

• Solution: EGG
• Explanation: This is a more cryptic clue. It's playing on the phrase "on eggshells" to suggest nervousness or carefulness.

Tips for Solving Across Clues

• Consider common crossword abbreviations: Pay attention to shortened versions of words like "St" for street or "Ave" for avenue.
• Look for patterns in the letter lengths: The number of letters indicated in the clue is a crucial piece of information.
• Use the down clues to help fill in letters: Intersecting letters from down clues can provide valuable hints for solving across clues.

Down Clues – Solutions and Explanations

Clue 1: Opposite of black (5)

• Solution: WHITE
• Explanation: Another simple antonym clue. "White" is the opposite of "black" in terms of color. Related words include bright, pale, and colorless.

Clue 2: Opposite of win (4)

• Solution: LOSE
• Explanation: This clue uses another straightforward antonym. "Lose" is the opposite of "win," commonly seen in competitive situations. Related words are defeat, fail, and forfeit.

Clue 3: Feeling of excitement (8)

• Solution: THRILL
• Explanation: This clue uses a synonym. "Thrill" means a strong feeling of excitement and exhilaration. Related words are excitement, exhilaration, and delight.

Tips for Solving Down Clues:

• Pay attention to the intersecting letters from across clues: These shared letters are crucial for solving both across and down clues simultaneously.
• Think about different word forms (plural, past tense, etc.): Clues might be referring to a word's alternate form.
• Consider common crossword themes or topics: Knowing common crossword themes can help predict potential solutions.

General NYT Mini Crossword Solving Strategies

Building Confidence:

• Start with the easiest clues first to build momentum: Gaining early success can boost your confidence and provide a foundation for tackling more challenging clues.
• Don't be afraid to guess, but try to eliminate impossible letters: Intelligent guessing can help you narrow down possibilities.
• Use online resources sparingly to avoid spoiling the puzzle: Only use help as a last resort to maintain the challenge and satisfaction of solving it independently.

Expanding Vocabulary:

• Regularly reading increases your word knowledge, a crucial element for success: The more words you know, the easier it becomes to solve crossword puzzles.
• Explore thematic word lists related to common crossword themes (e.g., movies, books, history): Focusing on specific themes can broaden your crossword vocabulary and improve your understanding of common crossword clues.
• Use a crossword dictionary for unfamiliar words, but only after considerable effort: Avoid relying on a dictionary too early; try to solve the clue independently first.

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive guide helped you solve the NYT Mini Crossword February 26 2025. Remember to practice regularly and utilize the strategies discussed above to continually improve your crossword-solving skills. For future puzzles, keep searching online for "NYT Mini Crossword [Date]" to find more complete solutions and helpful hints. Happy puzzling!