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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe Sunday, December 21, 2025, NYT Mini Crossword answers are below. Try the hints first if you want to solve it yourself; the complete answer key follows.
Hints for the December 21 Mini
- 1-Across: The only U.S. president born in September.
- 5-Across: “I’ll ___ it” (“Fine, I guess”).
- 7-Across: Material used for a reusable diaper.
- 8-Across: The land of Seoul and Pyongyang.
- 9-Across: One might be “Forever.”
- 1-Down: Metal pins used on a bulletin board.
- 2-Down: Separate into portions.
- 3-Down: Fauna’s counterpart.
- 4-Down: A symbolic carving can be a ___ pole.
- 6-Down: The sound of a fly swatter.
Full answer key
Spoilers below.
Across
- 1A — TAFT
- 5A — ALLOW
- 7A — CLOTH
- 8A — KOREA
- 9A — STAMP
Down
- 1D — TACKS
- 2D — ALLOT
- 3D — FLORA
- 4D — TOTEM
- 6D — WHAP
A note on the Down 2 discrepancy
Published answer lists differ on 2-Down, “Separate into portions”: Forbes gives APART, while Parade and The Word Finder give ALLOT. The key above uses ALLOT, supported by the latter two lists. See Forbes, Parade, and The Word Finder.
Solving tip
If a clue stalls you, move on to an entry you know and use its crossing letters when you return. Forbes describes the Mini as a shorter, quicker counterpart to the full crossword, typically with 10 to 20 clues, and recommends this approach.
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