Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, Feb. 22
Gael Cooper·2026-02-22·via CNET
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Feb. 22.
CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line.
ExpertiseBreaking news, entertainment, lifestyle, travel, food, shopping and deals, product reviews, money and finance, video games, pets, history, books, technology history, and generational studiesCredentials
Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism.
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Need some help with today's Mini Crossword? For me, 4-Down was a puzzler, but the other answers filled it in. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
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Let's get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Feb. 22, 2026.
NYT/Screenshot by CNET
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Soybeans or rice Answer: CROP
5A clue: Bit of gossip Answer: RUMOR
7A clue: South American flatbread made of ground maize Answer: AREPA
8A clue: ___ 8 Ball Answer: MAGIC
9A clue: Something a pirate might make you walk Answer: PLANK
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Sudden muscle tightness Answer: CRAMP
2D clue: Like the areas beyond suburbia Answer: RURAL
3D clue: Luxury Swiss watch brand Answer: OMEGA
4D clue: Stop by unannounced Answer: POPIN
6D clue: Billiards triangle Answer: RACK
CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line.See full bio
