Puzzle enthusiasts once again turned to The New York Times Mini Crossword this Saturday for their daily mental workout. As part of the NYT's growing suite of engaging word games — including Wordle, Connections, and Strands — the Mini holds its own with a dedicated following that appreciates its brevity and wit. For those navigating today’s clues with some difficulty, a breakdown of the NYT crossword answers, along with hints for both across and down clues, may provide the needed edge — or simply satisfy your curiosity after the fact.The Mini Crossword: A Brief OverviewWhile the full New York Times Crossword remains the flagship challenge, The Mini Crossword — a compact 5x5 puzzle — offers a quicker yet stimulating brain teaser. Refreshed daily at 10 p.m. ET, it remains accessible and free, attracting both novice and veteran solvers alike.Today’s edition for Saturday, May 31, 2025, provided a mix of pop culture, food references, and language play that kept players engaged. The clues varied in difficulty but leaned toward clever wordplay rather than obscure trivia.Across Clues and HintsThe following are subtle nudges for each “Across” clue in today’s puzzle, as per a report by Parade magazine:1 Across: “This one and that one” – Think of a four-letter word that ends with “H.”5 Across: “Ballet-inspired fitness class” – Begins with a “B,” often associated with posture and toning.6 Across: “Mississippi ___” (chocolate dessert) – Begins with “M,” rich and decadent.7 Across: “Monodon monoceros sea creature” – Ends in “L,” often referred to as the unicorn of the sea.8 Across: “Like some soccer shots” – Ends with “L,” a phrase for accurate scoring attempts.9 Across: “Strict in tone” – Begins with an “S,” often used to describe authoritarian voices.10 Across: “Place for a ‘For Sale’ sign” – Starts with a “Y,” and found outside a home.Down Clues and HintsFor those struggling with the vertical entries:1 Down: “$#!&, e.g.” – A censored expression, ending in “D.”2 Down: “Harry Potter, Annie or Bruce Wayne” – Starts with “O,” a shared backstory.3 Down: “___ and error” – A legal or experimental process, begins with “T.”4 Down: Dog trainer’s command – Ends in “L,” instructing the dog to walk close.5 Down: “Hot dog alternative” – A common item at BBQs, ends in “R.”6 Down: “Relative of a stingray” – Begins with “M,” found in tropical waters.7 Down: “All up in one’s business” – Starts with “N,” describing nosy behavior.NYT Mini Crossword Answers for May 31If you're ready for the full NYT crossword answers, here’s the solution grid, as mentioned in a report by Parade magazine:Across:1A: BOTH5A: BARRE6A: MUDPIE7A: NARWHAL8A: ONGOAL9A: STERN10A: YARDDown:1D: BADWORD2D: ORPHAN3D: TRIAL4D: HEEL5D: BURGER6D: MANTA7D: NOSYCultural References and Clever CluesAmong today’s highlights was “Harry Potter, Annie or Bruce Wayne” for 2 Down, cleverly leading to “ORPHAN.” This entry continues NYT’s tradition of using pop culture touchpoints to draw in a wider audience. The clue “This one and that one” pointed subtly to “BOTH,” aligning with frequent thematic pairings.Puzzlers looking up this one and that one NYT crossword or Harry Potter Annie or Bruce Wayne NYT will find today’s set to be both informative and creatively challenging.FAQsWhat is the NYT Mini Crossword?The NYT Mini Crossword is a daily 5x5 puzzle offering a quick, clever brain teaser. It’s free to play and refreshes every day at 10 p.m. ET.What made the May 31 puzzle unique? The May 31 edition included a mix of pop culture, food items, and language-based clues. Its charm lay in the subtle wit rather than obscure trivia.