‘Subside’ NYT Mini Crossword puzzle clue answer and hints

If something’s on a downward trend, you can say it’s subsiding. As “Subside” is one of the clues in today’s NYT crossword puzzle, the answer (if you can’t figure it out) may make you feel like you’re on this downward descent. And that’s why you’re here.

This clue is three down in the Sept. 6 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, and although there are many synonyms for this particular word, there’s actually only one that fits into today’s crossword puzzle—the answer to this crossword clue’s below.

‘Subside’ NYT Mini Crossword clue Sept. 6 hints and answer

• Hint 1: It starts with an “A.”
• Hint 2: It contains three vowels.
• Hint 3: It ends in an “E.”
• Hint 4: It rhymes with “await.”

The answer to the “Subside” clue is “ABATE.” Abate is a verb used to describe stopping, nullifying, or even decreasing the intensity or force of something. And it’s a synonym for the clue “Subside.”

All clues and answers in the Sept. 6 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle:

Across

• 1A Pioneering video game in which you sliter around and eat apples—SNAKE
• 4A Mailing alternative to a home address—PO BOX
• 6A Grammy winner Hayes—ISAAC
• 7A Words on a book’s spine—TITLE
• 8A Bona fide—REAL

Down

• 1D ___valve (Drainage feature on a brass instrument)—SPIT
• 2D Respectful denial—NO SIR
• 3D Subside—ABATE
• 4D Animal whose closest living relative is the wombat—KOALA
• 5D Microsoft’s alternative to Google Sheets—EXCEL

How difficult was the clue ‘Subside’

Abate is certainly one of the lesser-used synonyms for subside, purely because it’s easier to use words like lessen, decline, fall, taper off, or lower. Because of this, I’d give this clue a four out of five in difficulty. While I was solving this clue, I wasn’t certain of my answer because I rarely use the word “abate” in my everyday life. So, I kept tossing up whether I was right or not. In the end, I popped it into the crossword puzzle, and it worked. Thankfully. But it just goes to show that even with a few hints or letters, this clue was difficult to solve.

NYT Mini Crossword puzzle: Best alternatives

If you’ve finished today’s crossword puzzle and are looking for more to play, try the mini crossword puzzles from the LA Times or the Washington Post. But, if you’d like to try a word search or another word-based game, then try the NYT’s Strands or Spelling Bee games.