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Mini #326 · Saturday

Our Mini Crossword Hints — August 22, 2026

Step-by-step hints for Mini #326, our own daily mini crossword. Looking for the New York Times Mini? That’s a different puzzle, published on nytimes.com.

Play puzzle firstAnswer key
All hints
10 clues
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Across

1 Across: Org. for retired folks (abbr.)Hint
  1. Hint 1: Think of an organization that advocates for older Americans.
  2. Hint 2: This group is well known for helping people once they stop working and start collecting benefits.
  3. Hint 3: It's an abbreviation for a retiree advocacy group, and it starts with A.
5 Across: Strictness or severityHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes how strict or harsh a rule or approach can be.
  2. Hint 2: Think of the toughness of discipline in a military or academic setting.
  3. Hint 3: It means strictness or harshness, and it starts with R.
6 Across: Friend, in SpanishHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a common word you'd use for a buddy while speaking another language.
  2. Hint 2: It's the Spanish word for a close pal.
  3. Hint 3: It means friend in Spanish, and it starts with A.
7 Across: Second planet from the sunHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about our solar system and the order of planets from the sun.
  2. Hint 2: It's the planet often called Earth's twin because of its similar size.
  3. Hint 3: It's the second planet from the sun, and it starts with V.
8 Across: The border of a knife bladeHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about the sharp part of a cutting tool.
  2. Hint 2: It's the thin, sharp boundary line of a blade used for cutting.
  3. Hint 3: It means the sharp border of a knife, and it starts with E.

Down

1 Down: Pointed a weapon atHint
  1. Hint 1: This describes taking careful aim before firing something.
  2. Hint 2: Think of pointing a gun or arrow directly at a target.
  3. Hint 3: It means pointed a weapon at someone, and it starts with A.
2 Down: Getting olderHint
  1. Hint 1: This word relates to the natural process of growing older.
  2. Hint 2: It's what happens to everyone as time passes and birthdays add up.
  3. Hint 3: It means becoming older, and it starts with A.
3 Down: A mischievous scoundrelHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a playful troublemaker, not truly evil but definitely mischievous.
  2. Hint 2: This word could describe a sly character in an old adventure story.
  3. Hint 3: It means a mischievous scoundrel, and it starts with R.
4 Down: Experts, for shortHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a casual way to refer to people who are highly skilled at their job.
  2. Hint 2: Think of the opposite of amateurs — people who do something for a living.
  3. Hint 3: It's short for professionals, and it starts with P.
5 Down: Enthusiastic dance partyHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a loud, high-energy party often associated with electronic music.
  2. Hint 2: This word describes an all-night dance event with pulsing music and lights.
  3. Hint 3: It means an enthusiastic dance party, and it starts with R.

Use hints slowly

Reveal the first hint, try the grid again, then come back only if the crossing letters still do not move.

See answers

Before you open a hint

Mini #326 has ten clues, so this page holds 30 hints. Hint 1 points you at the idea, hint 2 narrows it down, and hint 3 all but gives it away. On this date, all ten third hints name the answer's first letter.

Short answers have the fewest possible fills, so they make a good start. The four-letter slots are 1-Across, 8-Across, 4-Down and 5-Down; the five-letter slots are 5-Across, 6-Across, 7-Across, 1-Down, 2-Down and 3-Down.

Clues to try first

  • 1-Across, “Org. for retired folks (abbr.)”, is marked as a short form, so expect an abbreviated answer.
  • 4-Down, “Experts, for short”, is marked as a short form, so expect an abbreviated answer.
  • Some clues lean on a name or title, such as 6-Across, “Friend, in Spanish”; if one is unfamiliar, work its crossing answers first.

More for August 22, 2026

Rather see the grid first? Play Mini #326. When you're done, the answer key reveals one answer at a time, and the printable copy is there for paper solvers. The day before, Mini #325 (August 21, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “Purchase”; the day after, Mini #327 (August 23, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “Pleads earnestly”.

August 22, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the August 22, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is from our own August 22, 2026 puzzle, with three hints each, from a gentle nudge to a strong push. The answers themselves are on the answer key page.
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/2026-08-22 reveals one answer at a time.