NYT Mini Crossword Hints Answers September 17, 2025

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Overview – September 17

The NYT Mini Crossword for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, brought a moderate challenge for most solvers. While not as tough as a Thursday crossword, this Mini wasn’t a total breeze either. The average solve time landed around 45 seconds, thanks to some clever wordplay.

Players noted that clues like “Middling” → SOSO and the tricky numeric clue for DATES (“1/23/45 and 6/7/89”) required an extra beat of thought. That’s the fun of the Mini—it packs clever misdirection into a tiny 5×5 grid.

Below, we’ll start with gentle hints before fully revealing today’s answers.

Progressive Hints for Today’s Mini

If you’d rather not spoil the puzzle right away, here are tiered hints:

• Hint 1 (Across): 1A is an expression for “average or okay.”
• Hint 2 (Across): 6A looks like two lists of numbers but think of them as occasions.
• Hint 3 (Down): 1D is something you do with a cocktail or maracas.

If these aren’t enough, keep reading for the full answers.

Across Clues and Answers Breakdown

• 1A. Middling → SOSO
  “So-so” means something is neither great nor terrible.
• 5A. Dreamboat → HUNK
  A common crossword word meaning attractive man.
• 6A. 1/23/45 and 6/7/89 → DATES
  Tricky clue! The numbers are formatted as calendar dates.
• 7A. Home furnishings giant → IKEA
  A crossword staple, referencing the Swedish furniture company.
• 8A. Job bonus → PERK
  A “perk” is an extra benefit like free lunch or flexible hours.

Down Clues and Answers Analysis

• 1D. Cocktail ___ → SHAKE
  A bartender’s action.
• 2D. Opposite of inner → OUTER
  Straightforward antonym clue.
• 3D. Move stealthily → SNEAK
  Common crossword verb.
• 4D. Approves, informally → OKS
  Crossword shorthand for “gives the okay.”
• 6D. Swimming pool entry → DIP
  Quick swim reference.

Wordplay and Clue Analysis

Today’s Mini leaned on double meanings and abbreviations. The standout clue was DATES, a clever play on numbers as both calendar dates and romantic appointments.

Words like OKS and SOSO also highlight how Minis often include short, fill-friendly entries that experienced solvers will recognize quickly.

Mini Crossword Solving Strategies

Want to improve your Mini times? Here are a few tips:

• Scan for easy fills first. Crossword staples like IKEA, ERA, and PERK often appear.
• Look for wordplay signals. If a clue looks odd, think figuratively.
• Use crossing letters early. In a 5×5, every cross matters.
• Practice daily. The Mini rewards repetition and familiarity with common cluing styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers for September 17, 2025?
A1: Across: SOSO (1A), HUNK (5A), DATES (6A), IKEA (7A), PERK (8A).
Down: SHAKE (1D), OUTER (2D), SNEAK (3D), OKS (4D), DIP (6D).

Q2: What was the average solve time for today’s Mini?
A2: About 45 seconds, moderate difficulty.

Q3: When does the NYT Mini Crossword reset each day?
A3: At 10 PM EST on weekdays and Saturdays, and 6 PM EST on Sundays.

Q4: What made today’s Mini challenging?
A4: The DATES clue and the vague SOSO clue added difficulty.

Q5: Is the NYT Mini Crossword free to play?
A5: No, it requires an NYT Games subscription, though archives are available.

Conclusion

The NYT Mini Crossword for September 17, 2025 offered a fun mix of straightforward and tricky clues. Solvers who spotted DATES quickly likely shaved precious seconds off their time.

If you’re looking to sharpen your Mini skills, check out our other guides to daily NYT Games puzzles and stay tuned for tomorrow’s crossword solutions.