Are these hints for the July 10, 2026 Mini Crossword?

Yes. Every clue on this page is for the July 10, 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/2026-07-10 reveals one answer at a time.

Mini Crossword Hints — July 10, 2026

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

Play puzzle first Answer key

All hints

10 clues

Spoiler-light

Across

1 Across: Cola or root beer, e.g.Hint

Hint 1: Think about fizzy drinks you'd get at a diner.
Hint 2: It's a carbonated beverage, and root beer is one type of it.
Hint 3: A bubbly drink often served with ice, starts with S.

5 Across: Shades of colorHint

Hint 1: This word relates to how colors can vary subtly.
Hint 2: Think of paint samples that show slightly different tones of the same color.
Hint 3: Variations or tints of a color, starts with H.

6 Across: Abandon, as a planHint

Hint 1: This means to give up on something you were planning.
Hint 2: If you scrap an idea or drop a plan entirely, this is the word.
Hint 3: To abandon or discard something, starts with D.

7 Across: Really enjoying, as a hobbyHint

Hint 1: This describes being enthusiastic about something you enjoy.
Hint 2: If someone is really passionate or engaged with a hobby, they are this.
Hint 3: Deeply interested or engaged, starts with I.

8 Across: Car's transmission settingHint

Hint 1: This is something you shift while driving.
Hint 2: Cars have settings like park, drive, and reverse — this is the general term for those settings.
Hint 3: A transmission setting in a vehicle, starts with G.

Down

1 Down: Polish until it gleamsHint

Hint 1: This is what you do to make something sparkle.
Hint 2: Polishing metal or shoes until they gleam is called this.
Hint 3: To polish something until it's glossy, starts with S.

2 Down: "Get ___ here!" ("No way!")Hint

Hint 1: This is an exclamation of disbelief or refusal.
Hint 2: It's part of a phrase meaning 'no way' or 'get out', often said in shock.
Hint 3: A word meaning 'away from' used in the phrase 'no way', starts with O.

3 Down: Room's furnishings and styleHint

Hint 1: This relates to interior design.
Hint 2: The furniture, colors, and style of a room together make up this.
Hint 3: The overall design and furnishings of a space, starts with D.

4 Down: What's left after a fireHint

Hint 1: This is a remnant from something burned.
Hint 2: After a fire dies down, this gray powdery residue remains.
Hint 3: The residue left after burning, starts with A.

6 Down: Excavate with a shovelHint

Hint 1: This is what you do with a shovel in the garden.
Hint 2: Digging a hole to plant something or bury something involves this action.
Hint 3: To break up and remove earth with a tool, starts with D.

Use hints slowly

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

See answers

July 10, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the July 10, 2026 Mini Crossword?: Yes. Every clue on this page is for the July 10, 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/2026-07-10 reveals one answer at a time.