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Need help with the Sunday, December 14, 2025 NYT Mini? Start with the clue hints below, then open the spoiler-marked answer key when you’re ready. The Across entries are VIOLA, INBOX, BSIDE, EPEE and SOS; the Down entries are VIBES, INSPO, OBIES, LODE and AXE.
Across hints
- 1 Across — Stringed instrument that becomes an exclamation if you switch its second and third letters: Starts with V.
- 6 Across — Place for unread emails: Ends with X.
- 7 Across — Back of a 45 record: Starts with B.
- 8 Across — Olympic fencing event: Starts with E.
- 9 Across — Emergency call in Morse code: Ends with S.
Down hints
- 1 Down — Good ____ only: Ends with S.
- 2 Down — Bit of creative motivation, for short: Ends with O.
- 3 Down — Theater awards since 1956: Ends with S.
- 4 Down — Ore deposit: Four letters.
- 5 Down — Tool for firefighter or lumberjack: Three letters.
Spoilers: December 14, 2025 answer key
| Direction | Number | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | 1 | Stringed instrument that becomes an exclamation if you switch its second and third letters | VIOLA |
| Across | 6 | Place for unread emails | INBOX |
| Across | 7 | Back of a 45 record | BSIDE |
| Across | 8 | Olympic fencing event | EPEE |
| Across | 9 | Emergency call in Morse code | SOS |
| Down | 1 | Good ____ only | VIBES |
| Down | 2 | Bit of creative motivation, for short | INSPO |
| Down | 3 | Theater awards since 1956 | OBIES |
| Down | 4 | Ore deposit | LODE |
| Down | 5 | Tool for firefighter or lumberjack | AXE |
Why the VIOLA wordplay works
Switch the second and third letters in VIOLA and the result is VOILA, an exclamation. That letter swap is the key to the first Across clue.
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