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Mini Crossword Hints — July 14, 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: Not fully closed, as a doorHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about the state of a door that's neither open nor shut.
  2. Hint 2: This word describes something slightly open, like a window left cracked for fresh air.
  3. Hint 3: It means partly open and starts with A.
5 Across: Fish's covering, or a bathroom weight-measurerHint
  1. Hint 1: This clue has two meanings tied to one word — think of fish anatomy and bathroom scales.
  2. Hint 2: It's the outer layer on a fish, and also what you step on to check your weight.
  3. Hint 3: It means a fish's protective covering or a weighing device, and starts with S.
6 Across: Muggy and damp, like summer airHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about how the air feels on a hot, sticky summer day.
  2. Hint 2: This word describes weather that's both warm and heavy with moisture.
  3. Hint 3: It means damp and muggy, and starts with H.
7 Across: Regions or zones on a mapHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of the word used for sections or parts of a map.
  2. Hint 2: This word refers to zones or districts, like neighborhoods on a map.
  3. Hint 3: It means regions or sections, and starts with A.
8 Across: Large amount, or a Catholic serviceHint
  1. Hint 1: This word has a double meaning — one about size, one about religion.
  2. Hint 2: It can mean a big quantity, or the name of a Catholic worship service.
  3. Hint 3: It means a large amount or a church ceremony, and starts with M.

Down

1 Down: Japanese luxury car brandHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a well-known Japanese car brand known for luxury sedans.
  2. Hint 2: This brand is Honda's upscale line, popular for reliability and style.
  3. Hint 3: It's a Japanese luxury car maker, and starts with A.
2 Down: King ___ BibleHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a famous English translation of the Bible.
  2. Hint 2: This version is named after the king who commissioned it in the 1600s.
  3. Hint 3: It's the name in 'King ___ Bible,' and starts with J.
3 Down: False name a spy might useHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about what a spy might use to hide their true identity.
  2. Hint 2: This word means a fake or cover name used for secrecy.
  3. Hint 3: It means a false name, and starts with A.
4 Down: Cincinnati baseball teamHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a Major League Baseball team from Ohio.
  2. Hint 2: This team's name refers to their bright uniform color and hails from Cincinnati.
  3. Hint 3: It's Cincinnati's baseball team, and starts with R.
5 Down: Total fakeHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a word meaning something entirely fake or fraudulent.
  2. Hint 2: This word describes a total fraud or a phony imitation.
  3. Hint 3: It means a complete fake, and starts with S.

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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July 14, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the July 14, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the July 14, 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/2026-07-14 reveals one answer at a time.