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These clues and answers are for the NYT Mini Crossword most likely published on Friday, March 28, 2025. Because the original title does not specify a year, the date identification is likely rather than certain. Hints come first; the full solution follows below.
NYT Mini Crossword clues for Friday, March 28
Try the clues before scrolling to the answers. The hints are deliberately brief to preserve as much of the solving experience as possible.
Across
- 1-Across: Like crackers after the box is left open. Hint: They are no longer crisp.
- 6-Across: Targets of facial cleansers. Hint: Tiny openings in the skin.
- 7-Across: Patronized, as a restaurant. Hint: A two-word phrase shortened to five letters.
- 8-Across: House occupied by a Presbyterian minister. Hint: A term for a minister’s residence.
- 9-Across: Material that’s an anagram of 1-Across and 4-Down. Hint: A flat stone often used for roofing or writing.
Down
- 1-Down: Bombards with texts, say. Hint: Sends unwanted messages in bulk.
- 2-Down: The “z” in x + y = z. Hint: The result of adding the other two variables.
- 3-Down: Stadium’s covered counterpart. Hint: A sports venue that is generally enclosed.
- 4-Down: Most’s opposite. Hint: Least in amount.
- 5-Down: Lauder in the beauty aisle. Hint: The beauty company’s first name.
Full answers
Spoilers below.
Across answers
- STALE — Like crackers after the box is left open.
- PORES — Targets of facial cleansers.
- ATEAT — Patronized, as a restaurant.
- MANSE — House occupied by a Presbyterian minister.
- SLATE — Material that’s an anagram of STALE and LEAST.
Down answers
- SPAMS — Bombards with texts, say.
- TOTAL — The “z” in x + y = z.
- ARENA — Stadium’s covered counterpart.
- LEAST — Most’s opposite.
- ESTEE — Lauder in the beauty aisle.
Why the year is listed as 2025
The date-specific clue and answer list is published by Parade’s March 28, 2025 guide. A matching Forbes title dated March 27, 2025 supports that identification, though its puzzle contents could not be independently confirmed from the available page. March 28 also occurred on a Friday in other years, including 2014, so the date without a year is ambiguous; a 2014 archive confirms a separate puzzle existed for that date.
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