Mini Crossword August 9, 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

   5–5 letters

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

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Flatten, informally (5)

   Informal way to say make something flat

   6 Across — African mammal that can weigh up to 10,000 pounds (5)

   Large animal found in rivers and lakes

   7 Across — "___ next time!" (5)

   Phrase used to end a conversation

   8 Across — Add fuel to, as a fire (5)

   Add more fuel to make something burn brighter

   9 Across — Really talked (up) (5)

   Talked about something with great enthusiasm

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — "Quiet!" (5)

   Sound used to tell someone to be quiet

   2 Down — Like many green mouthwashes (5)

   Flavor often associated with freshness

   3 Down — Request that precedes "down low ... too slow!" (5)

   Request to move to a higher position

   4 Down — Powerful volleyball hit (5)

   Strong hit in a sport, often used strategically

   5 Down — Sank, as a putt (5)

   Golf term for a putt that goes into the hole

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   6 Across

   H… (5 letters)

   7 Across

   U… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   S… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   H… (5 letters)

   1 Down

   S… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   M… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   U… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   S… (5 letters)

   5 Down

   H… (5 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 Across was the shortest entry at 5 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue