NYT Mini Crossword Answers May 14, 2025

Across
1 Opposite ends of the earth (Answer: POLES)
🧭 5 letters, starts with P, ends with S
🌍 North and South extremes
🧊 Ice caps are here
🧲 Magnetic or geographic
🐧 Penguins live near one
🐻‍❄️ Polar bears live near the other
🎿 Often destinations for explorers
📡 Satellites pass over them
🌡️ Extremely cold regions
🌐 Represented on globes

6 Animal with “white” and “black” varieties (really, they’re both gray) (Answer: RHINO)
🦏 5 letters, starts with R, ends with O
🌍 Found in Africa and Asia
🦴 Has a horn on its snout
🌿 Herbivore
🐘 Related to elephants
🦧 Hunted for its horn
📚 Name means “nose horn” in Greek
🐾 Thick-skinned mammal
🎨 Both types are actually gray

7 Plant deeply (Answer: EMBED)
🌱 5 letters, starts with E, ends with D
💾 Insert firmly
🧠 Deeply ingrain
📰 Journalist might do this with troops
💬 Often used in code (e.g., media)
🔍 Fixed tightly within
🛠️ Not easily removed
🖥️ To insert a video
🗃️ Stored securely

8 What’s coming to you (Answer: KARMA)
🔁 5 letters, starts with K, ends with A
🧘‍♂️ Eastern spiritual concept
🔄 Cause and effect
🌀 What goes around…
⚖️ Moral consequence
🙏 Associated with reincarnation
💫 Cosmic justice
💥 Might “get” you later
🗣️ “Good” or “bad” type

9 “No” vote (Answer: NAY)
❌ 3 letters, starts with N, ends with Y
🗳️ Opposes a proposal
👎 Opposite of AYE
🏛️ Common in parliaments
🗣️ Often shouted aloud
📜 Legislative context
🦆 Sounds like a duck!
⚖️ A form of dissent
📢 May be used in roll calls

Down
1 Program for kids aged 3–5, informally (Answer: PREK)
🎒 4 letters, starts with P, ends with K
🧒 Before kindergarten
📚 Early childhood education
🧠 Learning shapes and numbers
🎨 Finger painting and storytime
🍎 Preschool alternative
👩‍🏫 Often includes circle time
🔤 Teaches ABCs
🕒 For ages 3 to 5

2 “That’s crazy, dude!” (Answer: OHMAN)
😲 5 letters, starts with O, ends with N
😱 Expression of disbelief
🗯️ Slangy reaction
😩 Sometimes used when stressed
😂 Also used when amused
🤯 Hearing shocking news
🙄 Casual exclamation
👦 Often heard among friends
💬 “No way!” alternative

3 Sign after Virgo (Answer: LIBRA)
♎ 5 letters, starts with L, ends with A
⚖️ Represented by scales
📆 Zodiac sign
🗓️ Late September to October
🌬️ Air sign
💬 Known for diplomacy
🎭 Seeks balance and fairness
🕊️ Associated with peace
💘 Romantic and charming

4 Sworn ___ (Answer: ENEMY)
⚔️ 5 letters, starts with E, ends with Y
💢 Fierce rival
👿 Not a friend
📜 Vow of hatred
🔫 Arch-nemesis
🧛 Can describe mortal foes
🏰 Common in medieval tales
📖 Literary trope
🤬 Long-standing grudge

5 Pop bottles, e.g. (Answer: SODA)
🥤 4 letters, starts with S, ends with A
🍹 Fizzy drink
🫧 Contains carbonation
🍒 Can be cherry-flavored
❄️ Often chilled
🧃 Cola is one
🍬 Very sugary
🏪 Sold in cans and bottles
🌍 Also called “pop” in the Midwest