Mini Crossword October 22, 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 — Go across (4)

   Action of crossing a bridge or a gap

   5 Across — Political staffer (4)

   Behind-the-scenes helper in politics or entertainment

   6 Across — "Stand clear of the closing ___, please" (iconic N.Y.C. subway announcement) (5)

   Part of a subway car with a safety warning

   8 Across — Hairstyle secured with pins, maybe (4)

   Style often worn to formal events or special occasions

   9 Across — Greek river of the underworld (4)

   Mythological river separating the living from the dead

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Feeling down (3)

   Emotional state often described with a frown

   2 Down — Devout (5)

   Describing someone with strong faith or devotion

   3 Down — Get from the pound (5)

   Take a pet into your home and care for it

   4 Down — Excelling at trivia, say (5)

   Stereotype of someone who excels at quizzes and trivia

   7 Down — "Red" or "White" team (3)

   Team name shared by Boston baseball teams

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   S… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   A… (4 letters)

   6 Across

   D… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   U… (4 letters)

   9 Across

   S… (4 letters)

   1 Down

   S… (3 letters)

   2 Down

   P… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   A… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   N… (5 letters)

   7 Down

   S… (3 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   1 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