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Mini Crossword Hints — June 25, 2026

Open one clue at a time. Each row moves from gentle nudge to stronger help without revealing the full answer.

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All hints
10 clues
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Across

1 Across: Inseparable pals, in a text (abbr.)Hint
  1. Hint 1: This is common texting shorthand for close friendships.
  2. Hint 2: Think of an abbreviation people use to describe their closest circle of friends forever.
  3. Hint 3: It means best friends forever, in an abbreviated form, and starts with B.
5 Across: PermitHint
  1. Hint 1: This word means to give permission for something.
  2. Hint 2: If a rule lets you do something, this word describes that action.
  3. Hint 3: It means to permit or authorize, and starts with A.
7 Across: Girl's name that's also a type of tree, ___ Ingalls WilderHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a classic girl's name that overlaps with a tree name.
  2. Hint 2: This name is famously linked to the author of 'Little House on the Prairie'.
  3. Hint 3: It's the first name of the author Ingalls Wilder, and starts with L.
8 Across: Metric unit of volume, about a quartHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a measurement used in the metric system for liquids.
  2. Hint 2: It's the metric unit close in size to a quart, often used for soda bottles.
  3. Hint 3: It's a metric measure of volume, and starts with L.
9 Across: Take a breakHint
  1. Hint 1: This is what you do when you pause from work.
  2. Hint 2: Think of relaxing or taking time off to recharge.
  3. Hint 3: It means to relax or pause, and starts with R.

Down

1 Down: Round object used in many sportsHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of an object used in games like soccer or basketball.
  2. Hint 2: It's a spherical object you throw, kick, or hit in sports.
  3. Hint 3: It's a round object used in play, and starts with B.
2 Down: Stylish flourishHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes a stylish or elegant touch.
  2. Hint 2: Think of someone who does things with extra style and confidence.
  3. Hint 3: It means a sense of style or panache, and starts with F.
3 Down: Woodwind instrument played sidewaysHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a musical instrument you hold horizontally to play.
  2. Hint 2: It's a woodwind instrument often played in orchestras, held sideways to the mouth.
  3. Hint 3: It's a wind instrument played sideways, and starts with F.
4 Down: Painful open woundsHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes painful marks on the skin.
  2. Hint 2: Think of wounds that hurt and haven't healed yet.
  3. Hint 3: It means painful open injuries, and starts with S.
6 Down: Bump on a witch's noseHint
  1. Hint 1: This is something you'd expect to see on a cartoon witch's face.
  2. Hint 2: Think of a small bump often drawn on a witch's nose in cartoons.
  3. Hint 3: It's a small skin growth, and starts with W.

Use hints slowly

Reveal the first hint, try the grid again, then come back only if the crossing letters still do not move.

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June 25, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the June 25, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the June 25, 2026 puzzle, with three progressive hints each — from a gentle nudge to a stronger push, but never the full answer.
Is this the NYT Mini hints page?
No. This is an independent daily mini crossword. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by The New York Times.
What is the difference between hints and the answer key?
Hints move you toward the answer one step at a time so you can still solve it yourself. If you want to see a solution outright, the answer key at /answers/2026-06-25 reveals one answer at a time.