Mini #45 — the answers

The Mini crossword from October 16, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Animal doctor — VET
2. 4. Fly high — SOAR
3. 5. Like a ripe peach — JUICY
4. 6. St. Louis landmark — ARCH
5. 7. Spelling ___ — BEE

Down

1. 1. Singer’s instrument — VOICE
2. 2. Apiece — EACH
3. 3. Attempt — TRY
4. 4. Certain — SURE
5. 5. Quick punch — JAB

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, “Animal doctor” — nothing given yet: VET.
2. 1-Down, “Singer’s instrument” — V···· from the crossings: VOICE.
3. 4-Across, “Fly high” — ·O·· from the crossings: SOAR.
4. 2-Down, “Apiece” — EA·· from the crossings: EACH.
5. 5-Across, “Like a ripe peach” — ··IC· from the crossings: JUICY.
6. 3-Down, “Attempt” — already spelled out by its crossings: TRY.
7. 6-Across, “St. Louis landmark” — ··CH from the crossings: ARCH.
8. 4-Down, “Certain” — SUR· from the crossings: SURE.
9. 7-Across, “Spelling ___” — ·EE from the crossings: BEE.
10. 5-Down, “Quick punch” — already spelled out by its crossings: JAB.

The answer

Previous: Mini #44 (Thu, Oct 15) · Next: Mini #46 (Sat, Oct 17) · All Mini solutions

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.