Mini #72 — the answers

The Mini crossword from November 12, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Cutting tool — SAW
2. 4. Restorative — TONIC
3. 6. Wrath — ANGER
4. 7. Pep gathering — RALLY
5. 8. Ketchup hue — RED

Down

1. 1. Bat’s navigation — SONAR
2. 2. Point of view — ANGLE
3. 3. Use, as a sword — WIELD
4. 4. Road surface — TAR
5. 5. Shed tears — CRY

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, “Cutting tool” — nothing given yet: SAW.
2. 1-Down, “Bat’s navigation” — S···· from the crossings: SONAR.
3. 4-Across, “Restorative” — ·O··· from the crossings: TONIC.
4. 2-Down, “Point of view” — AN··· from the crossings: ANGLE.
5. 6-Across, “Wrath” — ·NG·· from the crossings: ANGER.
6. 3-Down, “Use, as a sword” — WIE·· from the crossings: WIELD.
7. 7-Across, “Pep gathering” — ·ALL· from the crossings: RALLY.
8. 8-Across, “Ketchup hue” — already spelled out by its crossings: RED.
9. 4-Down, “Road surface” — already spelled out by its crossings: TAR.
10. 5-Down, “Shed tears” — already spelled out by its crossings: CRY.

The answer

Previous: Mini #71 (Wed, Nov 11) · Next: Mini #73 (Fri, Nov 13) · 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.