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Mini Crossword Hints — August 2, 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: EnemiesHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about who you're against, not with.
  2. Hint 2: These are your rivals or opponents, the opposite of friends.
  3. Hint 3: People who oppose you; starts with F.
5 Across: Grand and sweeping, like a long adventure filmHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes something on a huge, dramatic scale.
  2. Hint 2: Think of a blockbuster movie with sweeping scenery and a big story.
  3. Hint 3: Describes something grand or heroic in scale; starts with E.
6 Across: Great fearHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a strong emotional reaction to danger or something bad happening.
  2. Hint 2: It's a heavier, more intense word than just 'fear' or 'worry'.
  3. Hint 3: A powerful sense of fear or dreadful anticipation; starts with D.
8 Across: Light and breezy, like a well-ventilated roomHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes a pleasant, open feeling, often about spaces or fabrics.
  2. Hint 2: Think of a room with open windows and a gentle breeze flowing through.
  3. Hint 3: Describes something light, open, and well-ventilated; starts with A.
9 Across: Garden watering tubeHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a common tool used outdoors for plants.
  2. Hint 2: You'd uncoil this long flexible tube to water your garden or wash your car.
  3. Hint 3: A flexible tube for carrying water; starts with H.

Down

1 Down: Well-nourishedHint
  1. Hint 1: This describes someone who has eaten enough and isn't hungry.
  2. Hint 2: Think of the opposite of starving — someone who's had a good meal.
  3. Hint 3: Means having been given enough food; starts with F.
2 Down: Talk-show legend WinfreyHint
  1. Hint 1: This person is a famous media mogul known for her daytime talk show.
  2. Hint 2: She has a famous book club and once gave away cars to her studio audience.
  3. Hint 3: First name of a legendary talk-show host and philanthropist; starts with O.
3 Down: Refrain in 'Old MacDonald'Hint
  1. Hint 1: This is the silly repeated part of a classic children's song about a farm.
  2. Hint 2: It's the nonsense chorus that follows naming an animal on the farm.
  3. Hint 3: The repeated farm-song refrain; starts with E.
4 Down: Marks left by old woundsHint
  1. Hint 1: These are physical reminders left behind after an injury heals.
  2. Hint 2: Think of the marks on skin that remain long after a cut or wound closes.
  3. Hint 3: Marks left behind by healed injuries; starts with S.
7 Down: Color fabric with a new tintHint
  1. Hint 1: This is something you'd do to change the color of clothing.
  2. Hint 2: Think of dipping fabric into a colored liquid to give it a new hue.
  3. Hint 3: To add color to something, often fabric; 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.

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August 2, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the August 2, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the August 2, 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/2026-08-02 reveals one answer at a time.