Mini Crossword August 16, 2026: Clues & Answers

Mini Crossword hints, one rung at a time

Five rungs, from grid facts to a nudge per clue. The recap above already summed the grid up, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying it fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

1. 1 Hint 1: Grid facts

   Counted off the grid.

   Grid

   5 × 5

   Clues

   5 across, 5 down

   Answer lengths

   4–5 letters

2. 2 Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — [Guests must provide drinks] (4)

   Common phrase on invitations

   5 Across — "A hearty congratulations!" (5)

   Theatrical expression of praise

   6 Across — ___ and aahed (5)

   Reaction to something surprising

   7 Across — Part of a skyscraper or Snapchat feed (5)

   Narrative section or social media update

   8 Across — Goal-scoring attempt (4)

   Athletic move towards a target

3. 3 Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Soup base (5)

   Foundation for many soups

   2 Down — Internet giant with a purple logo (5)

   Pioneer in web services and search

   3 Down — In-your-face (5)

   Blatant or intentionally obvious

   4 Down — Word before "language" or "lotion" (4)

   Prefix for physical or verbal

   5 Down — Person to whom you might say "I'll have it on your desk tomorrow" (4)

   Supervisor or manager in a workplace

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   B… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   B… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   O… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   S… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   B… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   Y… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   O… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   B… (4 letters)

   5 Down

   B… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 4 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue