Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s a bit tricky, so read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Dec. 16, 2025.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: It has a trunk
Answer: CAR
4A clue: Kentucky senator ___ Paul
Answer: RAND
5A clue: They have branches
Answer: BANKS
6A clue: Nowhere to be found
Answer: AWOL
7A clue: It has a trunk and branches
Answer: TREE
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Something that’s carried while portaging, perhaps
Answer: CANOE
2D clue: ___ breaker, basketball move that causes the defender to fall over
Answer: ANKLE
3D clue: Two in a fork?: Abbr.
Answer: RDS
4D clue: Sound that imitates a lion or dinosaur
Answer: RAWR
5D clue: Symbol in the night sky over Gotham
Answer: BAT
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Quick tips for the NYT Mini Crossword
#1: If you’re unsure, put down an answer anyway, but remember your uncertainty. You might find yourself erasing that answer as other letters fill in.
#2: If you’re struggling with a few Across clues, skip to the Down side. You might be able to fill that in and find the Across clues solved for you.
#3: The puzzle-makers love to play little word games, so be on your guard. They may offer a clue where the words don’t mean the obvious. If you’re stumped, try thinking of secondary meanings for phrases in the clue.
