NYT Mini Crossword Answers for November 22, 2025

The New York Times Mini Crossword for Saturday, November 22, 2025, served up a compact but satisfying challenge, the kind solvers love for a quick morning brain stretch. Though the Mini is famously shorter and snappier than the full NYT crossword, it often packs surprising twists, clever wordplay, and cultural references that can stump even seasoned players. Today’s edition did exactly that, blending pop culture, geography, language, and precise definitions into a neatly-crafted grid. Whether you solved it cleanly or found yourself stuck on a tricky clue or two, this breakdown will walk you through every answer and give you a feel for how each clue was designed to lead you there.

Across Answers and Clue Insight

1A. SCOOTS

Clued as a way someone might move over in their seat, “scoots” perfectly captures that small, slightly awkward shuffle people make in tight spaces. It’s conversational and lively—classic Mini energy.

7A. TAIPEI

The capital of Taiwan is a straightforward geography clue, yet it adds international flavor to the puzzle. For a Mini, which often sticks to short everyday words, this six-letter entry offered a nice bit of variety.

8A. SPELLING

Clued using a reference to a “Bee,” this one anchors itself in the familiar world of spelling bees. Even if the clue felt too open at first, crossing letters made the answer fall smoothly into place.

10A. ALA

A crossword staple meaning “in the style of,” this short entry appears frequently in puzzles. While simple, it’s a useful piece of glue fill that helps hold the grid together.

11A. ATM

Described as a keypad device often used discreetly, this clue points to an everyday object. It’s one of those clues that seems obvious only after you get the answer.

12A. SAMANTHA

Another “Bee” clue, but this time referencing the popular name Samantha Bee. It’s a humorous nod to the comedian and political commentator, and a smart way to elevate what could’ve been a simple name clue.

15A. STEWIE

A pop-culture favorite, Stewie Griffin from “Family Guy,” brings animated television into the puzzle. The Mini often loves using cartoon characters—especially recognizable ones like Stewie.

16A. YODELS

A clue referencing singing in the Alps is an easy visual. “Yodels” is playful, rhythmic, and satisfying to enter into the grid.

Down Answers and Clue Insight

1D. STEAMED

A double-meaning clue referencing clams and shirts fresh from cleaning, “steamed” cleverly ties together food and laundry. It’s a classic example of how Mini clues pack depth into few words.

2D. CAL

Short for “calendar,” this clue connects to digital meeting invites. It’s modern, relevant, and tech-friendly—the kind of clue reflecting the world we live in.

3D. OIL

Paired with vinegar in a familiar comparison, this clue is simple and clean. In a Mini puzzle full of longer entries today, “oil” brought balance.

4D. OPIATES

Morphine and codeine are the key hints here. The word adds a touch of science and seriousness, showing how Minis can mix tones within a single grid.

5D. TENTH

Referencing the first inning in extra innings, “tenth” brings baseball into the puzzle. It's a sharp, sports-oriented clue that solvers either get instantly or puzzle over for a moment.

6D. SIGMA

The Greek letter often used symbolically in math and science brings academic flavor to the puzzle. These Greek-alphabet entries are common and usually welcome.

8D. SASSY

Meaning full of back talk, “sassy” is a lively word that fits perfectly into the tone of a Saturday Mini.

9D. PLATO

Referencing the philosopher known for the “Allegory of the Cave,” this clue brings a touch of classical philosophy into the grid. It’s smart, memorable, and evergreen.

13D. AWE

A simple emotional clue, but an elegant one. “Awe” rounds out the expressive words in this puzzle.

14D. NIL

Meaning “nothing,” this short, crisp British-English term ties up the final corner of the grid.