NYT Mini Crossword Answers for February 21: A Quick Challenge for Puzzle Enthusiasts

The New York Times Mini Crossword continues to be a favorite among word puzzle enthusiasts, offering a compact yet engaging challenge. Unlike the full-sized NYT Crossword, the Mini is designed for a quicker solving experience, typically featuring a five-by-five grid with a handful of clues in each direction. While the weekday puzzles are standard in size, Saturday editions sometimes present a slightly larger challenge.

One of the key attractions of the NYT Mini Crossword is its accessibility. The puzzle is free to play on both the New York Times website and the NYT Games app, though access to previous puzzles in the archives requires an NYT Games subscription.

For those looking for a quick rundown of today’s puzzle, here are the answers for Friday, February 21 (spoiler alert):

Across:

1. Elevator alternative – STEPS
2. Evil corporation on Apple TV+’s Severance – LUMON
3. Ring-shaped coral reef – ATOLL
4. Aura of confidence – MOJO
5. ___ Lanka – SRI

Down:

1. Severely criticizes – SLAMS
2. One-on-one academic coach – TUTOR
3. A head of our time? – EMOJI
4. Preppy shirt – POLO
5. Show with a recently aired 50th anniversary special – SNL

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For many solvers, today’s puzzle proved to be a brisk mental exercise. One solver reported completing the puzzle in 54 seconds, a respectable time for a weekday challenge. Some clues, such as “STEPS” for “Elevator alternative,” initially led to missteps—“STAIR” was an early but incorrect guess. The answer “LUMON,” a reference to the fictional company in Severance, also required a moment of recall, despite being a familiar name to fans of the show.

The NYT Mini Crossword remains a go-to choice for those seeking a short yet satisfying word puzzle. With its mix of pop culture references, clever wordplay, and everyday vocabulary, it continues to attract solvers looking for a daily mental workout.