Welcome back, puzzle lovers! It’s time for another quick yet satisfying brain workout with The NYT Mini Crossword for Thursday, May 1, 2025. Today’s puzzle brings a clever twist that crossword solvers know and love — the same clue appearing in multiple places but leading to different answers. Let’s dive into the clues, answers, and some fun insights from today’s grid.
What Is the NYT Mini Crossword?
The NYT Mini Crossword is a bite-sized puzzle from The New York Times, designed to be solved in just a few minutes. It’s smaller than the traditional 15×15 crossword — usually 5×5 — but don’t let the size fool you. It often includes clever wordplay and pop culture references that can trip up even experienced solvers. It’s available daily online and in the NYT Games app, and best of all, it’s free to play each day (though access to archives requires a subscription).
Today’s Mini Puzzle Highlights – May 1, 2025
Today’s puzzle pulled a classic crossword trick: two clues are identical, but the answers differ. Both 5-Across and 1-Down had the clue:
“Marvel’s ‘The Avengers,’ e.g.”
This is where your pop culture knowledge comes into play. “The Avengers” could refer to the comic books or the blockbuster movies — and today’s puzzle makes you think of both.
Let’s break it all down:
Across Clues and Answers
- 1A: Question that looks like today’s date
Answer: MAYI
This clever clue references the phrase “May I?” — a question and a play on the current date, May 1st. A smart little pun to start off the puzzle. - 5A: Marvel’s “The Avengers,” e.g.
Answer: COMIC
Yes, The Avengers were comic book heroes long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought them to the big screen. This clue highlights their origin. - 6A: Bring to mind
Answer: EVOKE
A straightforward but elegant word. “Evoke” often comes up in writing or art discussions — it means to call something to mind or bring about a memory. - 7A: Like notebook paper
Answer: LINED
A familiar sight in classrooms and offices alike — paper with horizontal lines for writing. - 8A: An Australian millipede holds the record for the most in the animal kingdom, at 1,306
Answer: LEGS
A fun biology fact and a very literal clue. Who knew millipedes could have so many legs?
Down Clues and Answers
- 1D: Marvel’s “The Avengers,” e.g.
Answer: MOVIE
The other half of that trick clue. While 5A pointed to “COMIC,” this one refers to the film version — one of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all time. - 2D: Surrounded by
Answer: AMONG
A simple preposition, but one that plays nicely in crossword grids due to its vowel-consonant balance. - 3D: “That is not good!”
Answer: YIKES
An exclamation of alarm or surprise — very fitting for a puzzle reaction when you’re stuck! - 4D: Like some coffee orders
Answer: ICED
Perfect for springtime — iced coffee is a favorite when the weather warms up. - 5D: Where to find ribosomes and mitochondria
Answer: CELL
A nod to high school biology. These organelles live inside cells and help with protein synthesis and energy production.
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Final Thoughts
Today’s Mini was a mix of pop culture, science, and clever wordplay. The repeated clue trick added a fun twist, especially for fans of the Marvel universe. While nothing too obscure showed up in the grid, solvers had to think flexibly — and that’s what makes the Mini so engaging.
If you enjoyed this puzzle, remember that The New York Times Games section also features Wordle, Connections, Strands, and the classic Crossword — offering brain teasers of all sizes and styles.
Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for the Friday Mini! Until then, happy puzzling!
