- - NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Kenn C. BivinsDecember 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM

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The New York Times

If you're anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish 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. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you're working on today's Mini on Tuesday, December 16, 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 Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: It has a trunk — HINT: Ends with the letter "R"

4 Across: Kentucky senator _____ Paul — HINT: Starts with the letter "R"5 Across: They have branches — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"6 Across: Nowhere to be found — HINT: Ends with the letter "L"7 Across: It has a trunk and branches — HINT: Starts with the letter "T"

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NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Something that's carried while portaging, perhaps — HINT: Starts with the letter "C"

2 Down: ___ breaker, basketball move that causes the defender to fall over — HINT: Ends with the letter "E"

3 Down: Two in a fork?: Abbr. — HINT: Starts with the letter "R"

4 Down: Sound that imitates a lion or dinosaur —HINT: Ends with the letter "R"

Answers to NYT's The Mini Crossword for Tuesday, December 16, 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: It has a trunk — CAR

4 Across: Kentucky senator _____ Paul — RAND5 Across: They have branches — BANKS6 Across: Nowhere to be found — AWOL7 Across: It has a trunk and branches — TREE

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Something that's carried while portaging, perhaps — CANOE

2 Down: ___ breaker, basketball move that causes the defender to fall over — ANKLE

3 Down: Two in a fork?: Abbr. — RDS

4 Down: Sound that imitates a lion or dinosaur — RAWR

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This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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