‘Mocking smile’ NYT Mini Crossword answer and hints

It’s not often a clue mocks you in the NYT Mini Crossword, but “Mocking Smile” sort of accomplishes this in today’s puzzle. Being hit by a mocking smile is hurtful—especially for your pride—and I can feel the NYT Mini laughing at me already.

‘Mocking Smile’ Sept. 12 NYT Mini Crossword clue hints

• Hint one: It starts with “S.”
• Hint two: Billy Idol is known for doing this a lot.
• Hint three: It can also be interpreted as sarcasm or disgust.
• Hint four: it ends with “R.”

I’ve done everything on my end to help you with these four clues. If you still can’t get there, keep scrolling down for the solution.

‘Mocking Smile’ NYT Mini Crossword Sept. 12 clue answer

“SNEER” is the answer to three down’s “Mocking smile” clue. You hopefully won’t encounter someone sneering too often in real life, as it’s considered a smug, arrogant, or mean thing to do.

All NYT Mini Sept. 12 answers

Across

• 1A Hair with mascara on it — LASH
• 5A Emotion in “Inside Out 2” who opens up a “sar-chasm” in Riley’s mind — ENNUI
• 7A One finding work for an actor or author — AGENT
• 8A Looks behind couches and curtains, say — SEEKS
• 9A Makes a mistake — ERRS

Down

• 1D Renter’s agreement — LEASE
• 2D Emotion in “Inside out” who blows flames out of his head — ANGER
• 3D Mocking smile — SNEER
• 4D Beefcakes — HUNKS
• 6D “___all I ask…” — ITS

‘Mocking Smile’ NYT Mini clue difficulty rating

I needed a clue or two about the “Mocking smile” question to jog my memory and remind me this word exists. As I explained above, people rarely sneer, so it’s going to be a middle-of-the-road three out of five rating for me.

How to play more word games like the NYT Mini

The NYT Mini Crossword is one example of many daily word games you can play on the internet. Be sure to try out The Atlantic, LA Times, or Washington Post for more of the daily crosswords, and also have a go at NYT’s Strands and Spelling Bee games.