rewrite this title Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for March 23 – CNET

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Even after I solved today’s NYT Mini Crossword, I sat there and stared at 4-Down. It took me a while to figure out that the answer was actually two words — well, one letter and then one word. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Women’s World Cup team that had a rivalry with the U.S. during the 2010sAnswer: JAPAN

6A clue: Napoleon’s punishment during the 1810s (twice!)Answer: EXILE

7A clue: Component of muscle tissueAnswer: SINEW

8A clue: Wreck beyond repairAnswer: TOTAL

9A clue: Like the air at a hookah loungeAnswer: SMOKY

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Joking remarksAnswer: JESTS

2D clue: Statement of truthAnswer: AXIOM

3D clue: Kind of bean used in refried beansAnswer: PINTO

4D clue: Spring ___ (start dripping)Answer: ALEAK

5D clue: AfreshAnswer: NEWLY

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.