How disappointing NYT Crossword clue hints

When I first saw the “[How disappointing]” clue in today’s NYT Mini Crossword, I immediately thought of the word “bummer,” but it’s too long for the grid. There’s a subtle hint in that clue that I initially missed but helps you find the right answer.

As usual, I recommend you try to find some neighboring answers to give you an idea of what you’re looking for. Some down clues today are easy enough. I’m here to help you figure out the rest.

Hints to solve How disappointing Crossword clue

• Hint 1: First, read the clue again. There’s something unique to it.
• Hint 2: “How disappointing” is in brackets. This means something.
• Hint 3: Since it’s in brackets, it’s the description of a sound rather than a synonym.
• Hint 4: Think of the sound you make when you’re disappointed and how you would write that sound.

The final answer to this crossword clue is below, so stop reading if you don’t want spoilers. Skip to the next section or pause to try to answer the clue yourself first.

The answer to “How disappointing” in today’s NYT Mini is “SIGH.” It’s the sound “sigh,” not a direct synonym of “disappointing.” If you try to find similar words like “bummer”, you’ll never get to the right answer and might even think some crossing answers wrong.

Full list of answers to today’s NYT Mini Crossword

I solved the entire board of today’s NYT Mini Crossword, so I can share all the correct answers below. I won’t give hints for the other crossword clues, so if you don’t want to see the final answers, skip this section and continue to the next one. Otherwise, you’ll see the fully completed board.

ACROSS

• 1A [How disappointing] – SIGH
• 5A Larger relative of a kayak – CANOE
• 6A Fire-starting crime – ARSON
• 7A Dust ___ (tiny pests) – MITES
• 8A “Golly!” … or 1-Across, in pig Latin – ISAY

DOWN

• 1D Wrapped Indian garments – SARIS
• 2D App with a camera in its logo, informally – INSTA
• 3D Like the texture of a roasted marshmallow – GOOEY
• 4D They’re often laying around a farm – HENS
• 5D Top worn for layering, for short – CAMI

Best word games to play after the NYT Mini Crossword

I think the best way to satisfy your craving for the NYT Mini Crossword is to play more minis, either on the LA Times or the Washington Post, or try a different short word game. They are equally challenging and short, so you have two more boards to solve today if you love crosswords. If you’re looking for a different challenge, I really like Strands from the New York Times and Spelling Bee. Strands tests your interpretation skills of a theme and makes word searches trickier than usual, while Spelling Bee tests your vocabulary. Both are fun and engaging.

If you want to stick with the NYT Mini, check their website tomorrow morning because a new puzzle is available every day at 2 am CT. So unless you have insomnia and will be up at that time, just wait until the next morning and solve it with your cup of coffee or tea.