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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Need help with the Thursday, July 16, 2026, NYT Mini Crossword? Start with the clue-by-clue hints below; the complete across and down answers follow a spoiler warning. This is the 5×5 Mini, not the full-size crossword.
Hints for the July 16 Mini Crossword
Try these nudges before revealing the answers. Each clue is paired with a hint rather than its solution.
Across
- 1A: “In summary …,” in internet shorthand. Hint: The four-letter initialism is often used before a concise recap.
- 5A: ___ Valley, a French wine area. Hint: It shares its name with a major French river.
- 6A: With 7-Across, an aspirational state to achieve in one’s work email. Hint: The two entries form a phrase about an empty email queue.
- 7A: See 6-Across. Hint: This word completes the phrase.
- 8A: “Right away!” Hint: A common four-letter abbreviation for as soon as possible.
Down
- 1D: Sounds before going to voicemail. Hint: A phone may make these before the greeting begins.
- 2D: Zodiac sign in early autumn. Hint: Its dates begin in late September.
- 3D: Sag. Hint: A verb meaning to droop or hang down.
- 4D: Pet name on a par with Fido and Rover. Hint: A short, traditional dog name.
- 5D: Actress/singer Minnelli. Hint: Her first name has four letters.
Full answer key
Spoilers below. Stop here if you want to solve the grid yourself.
Across answers
- 1A: TLDR
- 5A: LOIRE
- 6A: INBOX
- 7A: ZERO
- 8A: ASAP
Down answers
- 1D: TONES
- 2D: LIBRA
- 3D: DROOP
- 4D: REX
- 5D: LIZA
How the linked answer works
6A and 7A combine to make INBOX ZERO, the aspirational work-email state. The entries are separate across answers, so enter INBOX at 6A and ZERO at 7A.
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About this date’s puzzle
Parade’s date-stamped July 16, 2026, answer page reports these clues and solutions; YouGoWords independently lists the same answer set. NYTSolver’s result identifies a 5×5 grid and names Sam Ezersky as constructor and Joel Fagliano as editor. Those personnel attributions are from secondary reporting, not an official NYT confirmation. The specific dated puzzle was not verified against an official NYT page.
Parade reports that the Mini resets at 10 p.m.; reset timing can depend on the context in which the game is presented, so check the game itself for the applicable schedule. Parade also distinguishes the Mini from the larger NYT crossword and describes that larger puzzle as for paid subscribers; current access and subscription terms are not independently established here.
Sources: Parade’s July 16, 2026 Mini coverage; YouGoWords’ date-specific answer list; NYTSolver’s July 16 result.
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