Mini Crossword August 21, 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

   3–5 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — With 8-Across, candy pieces that got their name after the chocolatier tried to make them perfectly round, but failed (4)

   Confectionery with a storied, imperfect shape

   5 Across — Home of Brunei and Bhutan (4)

   Continent home to many small, independent nations

   6 Across — Like the skin of snakes and fish (5)

   Texture often associated with reptiles and seafood

   7 Across — Take ___ (suffer financially) (4)

   Idiomatic phrase for financial hardship

   8 Across — See 1-Across (4)

   Colloquial term for candies mentioned earlier

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — ___ Picchu (5)

   Ancient Incan citadel and popular tourist destination

   2 Down — "To repeat myself ..." (5)

   Phrase used to preface a repetition or clarification

   3 Down — Gentle musical melodies (5)

   Musical term for soothing, gentle melodies

   4 Down — What "every kiss begins with," in jewelry ads (3)

   Jewelry marketing slogan referencing a romantic gesture

   6 Down — Wearing an upside-down smile (3)

   Emotional state indicated by a facial expression

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   M… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   A… (4 letters)

   6 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   A… (4 letters)

   8 Across

   D… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   M… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   I… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   L… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   K… (3 letters)

   6 Down

   S… (3 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   4 Down was the shortest entry at 3 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue