Mini Crossword August 28, 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 — Household items that come with remotes (3)

   Common household electronics with remote controls

   4 Across — String of saliva (5)

   Excess saliva dripping from the mouth

   6 Across — Self-help book genre (5)

   Self-improvement book category with instructional titles

   7 Across — Powerball or Mega Millions (5)

   Type of popular lottery game with large jackpots

   8 Across — Emoji voiced by Sir Patrick Stewart in "The Emoji Movie" (4)

   Comedic emoji character in an animated film

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Group of Girl Scouts (5)

   Organized group of young people with a common goal

   2 Down — Promise that one will (5)

   Formal commitment or pledge to do something

   3 Down — ___ voce (under one's breath) (5)

   Musical term for a soft, whispered vocal style

   4 Down — Big name in shipping logistics (3)

   Global logistics company with a well-known abbreviation

   5 Down — Shape formed by the O's in this puzzle (4)

   Geometric shape formed by two curved lines

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   T… (3 letters)

   4 Across

   D… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   H… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   L… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   P… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   T… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   V… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   S… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   D… (3 letters)

   5 Down

   L… (4 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

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

   Open the answers, clue by clue