NYT Mini Crossword #Daily
NYT Mini Crossword Answers for May 16, 2026
This archive page preserves the NYT Mini Crossword guide for May 16, 2026. Review the completed clues and answer logic after solving.
Current daily puzzle
Updated for
Guidance bridge
This archive guide reviews the completed Mini Crossword for May 16, 2026. Use it to revisit the across and down clues, answer logic, and tricky entries after the puzzle is solved.
Archive Snapshot
- Date
- May 16, 2026
- Across clues
- 8
- Down clues
- 8
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Hardest clue
- 6 Across
- Answers
- Answers included below
Why 6 Acrossis the hardest clue in today's NYT Mini Crossword
6 Across is the hardest clue because GERBILS depends on a specific animal behavior that many solvers may not know. The clue is vivid, but without the thumping-foot fact the answer needs crossing help.
How to Start Today's Mini Crossword
Use the short name and verb clues to build crossings before committing to the longer trivia and science entries.
Mini Crossword Archive: Across Clues
Open these spoiler-light prompts before checking the answer list.
1 Across
De Armas of "Knives Out"
Think of the Cuban actress's first name.
4 Across
Jack ___, five-time "S.N.L." host
Use the actor and musician whose surname is also a color.
6 Across
Class pets that thump their feet to warn of approaching kindergarteners
These small rodents are common classroom pets.
8 Across
Boxer Muhammad or Laila
Use the shared boxing surname.
9 Across
Reach 0% battery
Use the short verb for losing all power.
10 Across
Big name in hair loss prevention
Think of a well-known hair regrowth brand.
12 Across
Jack ___, six-time "S.N.L." musical guest
This Jack's surname contrasts with 4 Across.
13 Across
Attempt
Use the concise three-letter verb.
Mini Crossword Archive: Down Clues
Open these spoiler-light prompts before checking the answer list.
1 Down
"Okay then ..."
Use a casual word of acceptance.
2 Down
Catch, as a criminal
Use the short verb meaning arrest or grab.
3 Down
Notable feature of lemon and grapefruit juice
Think of the sour chemical quality.
4 Down
Underneath
Use the positional word meaning lower than.
5 Down
Actor Kevin of "Dave"
Use the surname of Kevin Kline.
6 Down
Long-nosed fish
This is a short fish name often seen in crosswords.
7 Down
Understand
Use the three-letter verb in "I ___ what you mean."
11 Down
Make public, as a grievance
Think of airing a complaint.
Mini Crossword Archive: Solve Checks
Use these quick checks before opening the full answer list.
- Do BLACK and WHITE both complete Jack clues?
- Does GERBILS fit both the classroom-pet clue and the thumping behavior?
- Does ACIDITY explain lemon and grapefruit juice?
- Are all short entries clean three-letter answers?
What Matters in This Puzzle
The Jack clues pair neatly
BLACK and WHITE give the puzzle a small internal echo.
Short fill provides momentum
The many three-letter answers are useful crossing anchors in the larger grid.
GERBILS is the standout
The clue depends on a specific pet behavior rather than a generic rodent clue.
Post-game archive analysis
May 16, 2026 NYT Mini Crossword Clue Breakdown
This archive page shows the completed across and down answers with short explanations, so it works as a review page rather than a live spoiler-light hint page.
Across Answers
1 Across
ANA
Clue: De Armas of "Knives Out"
ANA refers to Ana de Armas, who appeared in "Knives Out."
4 Across
BLACK
Clue: Jack ___, five-time "S.N.L." host
Jack Black is the performer referenced by the clue.
6 Across
GERBILS
Clue: Class pets that thump their feet to warn of approaching kindergarteners
GERBILS can thump their hind feet as an alarm signal, which matches the clue's classroom-pet image.
8 Across
ALI
Clue: Boxer Muhammad or Laila
Muhammad Ali and Laila Ali share the surname ALI.
9 Across
DIE
Clue: Reach 0% battery
A device can DIE when its battery reaches 0%.
10 Across
ROGAINE
Clue: Big name in hair loss prevention
ROGAINE is a widely known hair loss treatment brand.
12 Across
WHITE
Clue: Jack ___, six-time "S.N.L." musical guest
Jack White is the musician referenced by the clue.
13 Across
TRY
Clue: Attempt
TRY means to attempt something.
Down Answers
1 Down
ALRIGHT
Clue: "Okay then ..."
ALRIGHT can express acceptance or acknowledgement, matching "Okay then ..."
2 Down
NAB
Clue: Catch, as a criminal
To NAB a criminal is to catch or arrest them.
3 Down
ACIDITY
Clue: Notable feature of lemon and grapefruit juice
Lemon and grapefruit juice are known for ACIDITY.
4 Down
BELOW
Clue: Underneath
BELOW means underneath or lower than something.
5 Down
KLINE
Clue: Actor Kevin of "Dave"
Kevin Kline is the actor referenced by the clue.
6 Down
GAR
Clue: Long-nosed fish
A GAR is a long-nosed fish.
7 Down
SEE
Clue: Understand
SEE can mean understand.
11 Down
AIR
Clue: Make public, as a grievance
To AIR a grievance is to make it public.
How This Mini Crossword Archive Puzzle Works
The May 16 Mini uses its larger Saturday grid to mix pop culture, science, and fast crossword fill. ANA, ALI, DIE, TRY, NAB, GAR, SEE, and AIR are short stabilizers. BLACK and WHITE form a satisfying Jack pair through SNL host and musical guest clues. GERBILS is the most distinctive clue because it requires a specific animal behavior, while ROGAINE, ALRIGHT, ACIDITY, BELOW, and KLINE rely on brand, phrase, property, position, and actor recognition.
Caution Notes
Do not overthink ANA
The clue asks for the first name of Ana de Armas.
Keep AIR as a verb
For a grievance, AIR means to make it public.
Previous and Next Day
Compare today's clue logic with neighboring Mini Crossword guides.