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Mini Crossword Hints — August 3, 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: Argument against, opposite of proHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about debate terms, where two sides argue.
  2. Hint 2: This is the opposite side from 'pro' in a for-and-against list.
  3. Hint 3: It means an argument against something, and it starts with C.
4 Across: South American country whose capital is LimaHint
  1. Hint 1: This clue points to a country in South America.
  2. Hint 2: Its capital city is Lima, and it's known for Machu Picchu.
  3. Hint 3: It's the South American nation whose capital is Lima, and it starts with P.
5 Across: Tender cut of steak, ___ mignonHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a term you'd hear on a fancy restaurant menu.
  2. Hint 2: It's the tender part of the steak often paired with the French word for 'mignon'.
  3. Hint 3: It's a tender cut of beef, as in '___ mignon', and it starts with F.
6 Across: Capital of NorwayHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of Scandinavian capital cities.
  2. Hint 2: This city is the capital of Norway, known for its fjords nearby.
  3. Hint 3: It's the capital of Norway, and it starts with O.
7 Across: It fills up your car's tankHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about what you put in your car to keep it running.
  2. Hint 2: It's the fuel you pump into your car at a station.
  3. Hint 3: It's what fills your car's tank, and it starts with G.

Down

1 Down: Prison rooms, or the tiny units of the bodyHint
  1. Hint 1: This can mean either small rooms or biological units.
  2. Hint 2: Think of both prison chambers and the building blocks of living things.
  3. Hint 3: It refers to jail rooms or the basic units of life, and it starts with C.
2 Down: Sandwich cookie with a creamy centerHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a beloved snack often twisted apart before eating.
  2. Hint 2: It's a chocolate sandwich cookie with a white cream filling.
  3. Hint 3: It's a famous cookie brand with a creamy center, and it starts with O.
3 Down: Almond or cashew, for exampleHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of something you might find in a trail mix.
  2. Hint 2: It's a type of hard-shelled snack food, like an almond or cashew.
  3. Hint 3: It's a general term for foods like almonds and cashews, and it starts with N.
4 Down: Italian city with a famous leaning towerHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a famous city in Italy known for a tourist attraction.
  2. Hint 2: It's home to a famous tower that tilts to one side.
  3. Hint 3: It's the Italian city with the leaning tower, and it starts with P.
5 Down: Thick mist that's hard to see throughHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about weather that makes it hard to see far.
  2. Hint 2: It's a thick cloud-like mist that can blanket a city or road.
  3. Hint 3: It's a dense mist that obscures visibility, and it starts with F.

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 3, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the August 3, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is for the August 3, 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/2026-08-03 reveals one answer at a time.