If you found today’s New York Times Mini Crossword a bit more challenging than usual, you aren’t alone. Saturday editions often feature longer grids or more complex clue structures that require a bit more lateral thinking.
Below are the complete answers for today’s puzzle to help you finish your grid or check your work.
Across Answers
- 1A: What people pay extra for? — GUM
- 4A: Pre-meal prayer — GRACE
- 6A: Physicist Bohr — NIELS
- 7A: Line up a shot — AIM
- 8A: Photo ___ (P.R. events) — OPS
- 10A: “Zootopia,” but not “Zoolander” — PGMOVIE
- 12A: TV show with the initials “TV” — THEVIEW
- 13A: New York Times game with weaving, interconnected answers — STRANDS
Down Answers
- 1D: More bleak — GRIMMER
- 2D: Dubai’s country, for short — UAE
- 3D: Nickname of Seth and Evan’s friend in “Superbad” — MCLOVIN
- 4D: “See you in the mornin’!” — GNIGHT
- 5D: Fancy term for “noticed” — ESPIED
- 7D: Many N.Y.C. addresses: Abbr. — APTS
- 9D: Uses a needle and thread — SEWS
Solving Context
Today’s puzzle features a mix of pop culture references—such as the film Superbad —and wordplay that rewards players who are familiar with other NYT games. Notably, 13-Across refers to Strands, a newer addition to the NYT Games ecosystem that has become a staple for players looking for a different type of linguistic challenge.
Note for solvers: If you are struggling with specific clues, pay close attention to the abbreviations and cultural touchstones, as these are frequent themes in the Mini Crossword format.
Summary: These answers provide the full solution for the April 18 NYT Mini Crossword, covering all across and down clues to assist daily puzzle enthusiasts.
