Mini Crossword September 25, 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 — Dogs and cats ... or less commonly, frogs and rats (4)

   Common household companions

   5 Across — Highway off-ramp (4)

   Roadway departure point

   6 Across — Chance to hit a homer (5)

   Baseball player's turn to hit

   8 Across — Largest island of Greece (5)

   Greek island in the Aegean Sea

   9 Across — Strongly disliked (5)

   Intensely disapproved of

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

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Fruit on a Georgia license plate (5)

   Georgia's official state fruit

   2 Down — The "E" of ESP (5)

   Acronym component in paranormal context

   3 Down — Region on the north side of Mount Everest (5)

   Autonomous region in Asia

   4 Down — Governor's responsibility (5)

   Political leader's duties

   7 Down — Danson of "The Good Place" (3)

   Actor known for comedy roles

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   P… (4 letters)

   5 Across

   E… (4 letters)

   6 Across

   A… (5 letters)

   8 Across

   C… (5 letters)

   9 Across

   H… (5 letters)

   1 Down

   P… (5 letters)

   2 Down

   E… (5 letters)

   3 Down

   T… (5 letters)

   4 Down

   S… (5 letters)

   7 Down

   T… (3 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   7 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