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Mini Crossword Hints — July 28, 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: Every single bitHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about how you'd describe totality or completeness.
  2. Hint 2: This word means everything, with nothing left out.
  3. Hint 3: It means 'entirely' or 'the whole amount', and it starts with A.
4 Across: European country with Madrid as its capitalHint
  1. Hint 1: This clue is about geography in Europe.
  2. Hint 2: It's the country famous for flamenco, tapas, and bullfighting.
  3. Hint 3: This nation's capital is Madrid, and it starts with S.
6 Across: Clark ___, star of 'Gone with the Wind'Hint
  1. Hint 1: Think of classic Hollywood actors.
  2. Hint 2: He played Rhett Butler in a famous 1939 film.
  3. Hint 3: This actor's surname is associated with old-school leading-man charm, and it starts with G.
7 Across: Halloween handoutHint
  1. Hint 1: This is something kids collect while trick-or-treating.
  2. Hint 2: It's the opposite of a 'trick' in the classic Halloween phrase.
  3. Hint 3: It's candy given out at the door on October 31st, and it starts with T.
8 Across: Tender loving care, for shortHint
  1. Hint 1: This is an abbreviation you might hear when someone is sick or needs comfort.
  2. Hint 2: It's the caring attention given to someone who's unwell, often shortened to three letters.
  3. Hint 3: It stands for a phrase meaning gentle, affectionate care, and it starts with T.

Down

1 Down: Separated, as two friends who drifted ___Hint
  1. Hint 1: This describes what happens when two people grow distant.
  2. Hint 2: It's the word that follows 'drifted' when friends stop being close.
  3. Hint 3: It means separated or no longer together, and it starts with A.
2 Down: Sticker on a bottle or jarHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of something you'd find on packaging.
  2. Hint 2: It's the piece of paper or plastic that tells you what's inside a container.
  3. Hint 3: It's the tag with information stuck onto a bottle or jar, and it starts with L.
3 Down: Purple flowering shrubHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a fragrant plant you might see in spring.
  2. Hint 2: It's a shrub known for its light purple blossoms and sweet scent.
  3. Hint 3: It's a purple-flowered bush whose name is also a shade of purple, and it starts with L.
4 Down: Army rank below lieutenant, brieflyHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a military abbreviation.
  2. Hint 2: It's a rank just below lieutenant, often shortened in casual speech.
  3. Hint 3: It's the short form for 'sergeant', and it starts with S.
5 Down: What a tennis ball goes overHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about the equipment used in tennis.
  2. Hint 2: It's the barrier the ball must clear to stay in play.
  3. Hint 3: It's the mesh strung across the middle of the court, and it starts with N.

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 28, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the July 28, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the July 28, 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/2026-07-28 reveals one answer at a time.