Mini #14 — the answers

The Mini crossword from September 15, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Sucker — SAP
2. 4. Prom activity — DANCE
3. 6. Clued in — AWARE
4. 7. Meet one’s ___ — MAKER
5. 8. Needle part — EYE

Down

1. 1. Plumber’s tool — SNAKE
2. 2. 43,560 square feet — ACRE
3. 3. Look through a keyhole — PEER
4. 4. Judi Dench title — DAME
5. 5. Absent — AWAY

The walkthrough

One way through: start at 1-Across, then let each answer feed the words it crosses — the slot with the most letters already showing is the one to fill next.

1. 1-Across, “Sucker” — nothing given yet: SAP.
2. 1-Down, “Plumber’s tool” — S···· from the crossings: SNAKE.
3. 4-Across, “Prom activity” — ··N·· from the crossings: DANCE.
4. 2-Down, “43,560 square feet” — AC·· from the crossings: ACRE.
5. 6-Across, “Clued in” — ··AR· from the crossings: AWARE.
6. 3-Down, “Look through a keyhole” — PEE· from the crossings: PEER.
7. 7-Across, “Meet one’s ___” — ··KER from the crossings: MAKER.
8. 4-Down, “Judi Dench title” — DAM· from the crossings: DAME.
9. 5-Down, “Absent” — AWA· from the crossings: AWAY.
10. 8-Across, “Needle part” — already spelled out by its crossings: EYE.

The answer

Previous: Mini #13 (Mon, Sep 14) · Next: Mini #15 (Wed, Sep 16)

About Mini

Mini is Noggin’s five-by-five crossword, on the second shelf: one grid a day against the clock, outside the daily line-up. How to play Mini, or play today’s.