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Mini Crossword Hints — July 24, 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: Tie up tightlyHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about securing something so it can't move.
  2. Hint 2: This is what you'd do to a rope or a package to keep it fastened.
  3. Hint 3: It means to fasten or secure tightly, and it starts with B.
5 Across: "Goodbye" in SpanishHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a common farewell word borrowed from another language.
  2. Hint 2: You'd say this word when parting ways in a Spanish-speaking country.
  3. Hint 3: It means goodbye in Spanish, and it starts with A.
7 Across: Girl's name meaning "pretty" in SpanishHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a common girl's name with a nice meaning.
  2. Hint 2: In Spanish, this name literally translates to 'pretty' or 'beautiful'.
  3. Hint 3: It's a girl's name meaning pretty, and it starts with L.
8 Across: Martial arts training hallsHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about where people practice things like karate or judo.
  2. Hint 2: These are the training spaces used in Japanese martial arts.
  3. Hint 3: It means martial arts training halls, and it starts with D.
9 Across: Combine potatoes into a fluffy pileHint
  1. Hint 1: This is something you might do to potatoes before serving them as a side dish.
  2. Hint 2: You take boiled potatoes and mix or crush them into a soft, smooth texture.
  3. Hint 3: It means to combine potatoes into a fluffy pile, and it starts with M.

Down

1 Down: Having no hairHint
  1. Hint 1: This describes someone missing something on top of their head.
  2. Hint 2: It's the opposite of having a full head of hair.
  3. Hint 3: It means having no hair, and it starts with B.
2 Down: Expression like "break a leg"Hint
  1. Hint 1: This is a type of phrase that doesn't mean what it literally says.
  2. Hint 2: Phrases like 'kick the bucket' or 'break a leg' are examples of this kind of expression.
  3. Hint 3: It refers to a common saying with a figurative meaning, and it starts with I.
3 Down: Stealthy Japanese warriorHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a type of warrior known for sneaking around.
  2. Hint 2: This historical Japanese fighter was famous for stealth and secrecy.
  3. Hint 3: It means a stealthy Japanese warrior, and it starts with N.
4 Down: Extinct flightless birdsHint
  1. Hint 1: These are birds that no longer exist today.
  2. Hint 2: This flightless bird from Mauritius went extinct centuries ago and is a symbol of extinction itself.
  3. Hint 3: It refers to extinct flightless birds, and it starts with D.
6 Down: Band worn across the waist or shoulderHint
  1. Hint 1: This is an accessory often worn diagonally across the body.
  2. Hint 2: Think of something like a beauty pageant winner's ribbon worn from shoulder to hip.
  3. Hint 3: It means a band worn across the waist or shoulder, and it 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 24, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the July 24, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the July 24, 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/2026-07-24 reveals one answer at a time.